WALES international Elliot Dee will make his return to action as Dragons A face Scarlets Development in a friendly fixture at Rodney Parade this evening (kick-off 6pm).

Hooker Dee, who suffered a neck injury against the Stormers last month, has been named in the starting line-up as Dragons look to build momentum and also give valuable game time across the squad.

The front row under the Friday night lights in Newport will see Dee joined by experienced prop Greg Bateman and academy product Chris Coleman.

Joe Davies and Joe Maksymiw maintain their partnership from the Cardiff Rugby fixture and link-up in the second row while Huw Taylor, Dan Baker and Ben Fry join forces in the back row.

A half-back pairing of scrum-half Dan Babos and fly-half Josh Lewis will also get their opportunity against the West Wales region.

A new combination in the middle of the park sees Adam Warren and Jared Rosser line up at centre.

The talented back three includes Rio Dyer – fresh from his try scoring appearance against Cardiff – on the wing and he is joined by Dragons academy ace Oli Andrew and full-back Ioan Davies.

Rosser is relishing the challenge of playing at centre. The 23-year-old has made 55 appearances in a Dragons jersey scoring 20 tries but with the majority of his appearances coming on the wing for the region.

“I’m really enjoying it to be honest, it’s another challenge and it’s an exciting time for me,” said the Dragons academy graduate.

“I sort of just filled in last year when we had numbers down at centre, I enjoyed my time there in training, so I spoke to the coaches about learning the role especially defensively, but I am really relishing the challenge.

“It is different (to wing), defensively a lot of teams target that 13 channel in attack especially with their back moves, so there probably is a big target on your head when you haven’t played there much and haven’t got that much experience there.”

He continued: “But I have been enjoying learning off the boys, Adam Warren has been really good with me, Jamie Roberts and Jack Dixon as well.

“Jack has also moved into the 13 role this season, so I have been picking their brains a lot and there is a lot of experience around the environment to learn from so it’s exciting.

“I’m happy to play wherever Dean needs me to play but I think if I was going to pick a position at the moment, I’d say I’m really enjoying 13 so hopefully I can get more game time there and show the coaches that it is something I can do and be successful at.”

Entry to the fixture is free for season ticket holders and under-16s. Non-members will be charged £5 and gates open from 5pm.

Dragons: Ioan Davies, Oli Andrew, Jared Rosser, Adam Warren (c), Rio Dyer, Josh Lewis, Dan Babos; Greg Bateman, Elliot Dee, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, Joe Maksymiw, Huw Taylor, Ben Fry, Dan Baker

Replacements: Ellis Shipp, Josh Reynolds, Luke Yendle, Aaron Jarvis, Max Williams, Ryan Woodman, Ben Moa, Che Hope, Will Reed, Tom Griffiths, Joe Westwood

Scarlets Development: 15 Tom Rogers; 14 Ryan Conbeer, 13 Tyler Morgan, 12 Joe Roberts, 11 Callum Williams; 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Archie Hughes; 1 Kemsley Mathias 2 Shaun Evans (capt), 3 Alex Jeffries, 4 Morgan Jones, 5 Jac Price, 6 Caleb Salmon, 7 Iestyn Rees, 8 Carwyn Tuipulotu.

Replacements: 16 Daf Hughes, 17 Steff Thomas, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Osian Davies, 20 Morgan Macrae, 21 Griff Evans, 22 Dane Blacker, 23 Josh Phillips, 24 Eddie James, 25 Steff Hughes