JARED Rosser will make his return from injury for the Dragons A against Cardiff Blues A in the Celtic Cup opener at Rodney Parade tomorrow (kick-off 7.15pm).

The speedster enjoyed a breakthrough season at senior level in 2017/18, making his debut in the Guinness PRO14 opener, playing in 25 of 31 games and ending the campaign with seven tries in the last seven games.

The 20-year-old from Pontypool played for Wales at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco in June but suffered a summer hamstring strain that ruled him out of contention for last week’s clash with Benetton.

Rosser will return in Newport tomorrow and will attempt to force his way into Bernard Jackman’s back three, with the head coach set to retain Jordan Williams, Hallam Amos and Dafydd Howells for Saturday’s clash with Southern Kings.

The A team beat an Ospreys development team in Ystrad Mynach last weekend and will once again be captained by centre Connor Edwards, another prospect who enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2017/18.

Summer recruits Jacob Botica and Rhys Lawrence start at fly-half and hooker respectively while centre Tiaan Loots is among the replacements.

Jackman will once again sent a number of senior figures that are not in his squad for the Kings out for Premiership action, preferring to use the Celtic Cup to develop prospects.

"We see our development competition as a way over developing youngsters," said the head coach.

"We don't want to send a Rynard Landman or a Zane Kirchner or a Nic Cudd to the development competition because we feel it might block a Max Williams or a Taine Basham."

The A team is coached by academy manager James Chapron with Ian Evans in charge of the forwards and Alan Kingsley heading up the backs.

Cardiff Blues include hooker Liam Belcher, who was released by the Dragons in the summer.

The new tournament sees eight teams – the four Welsh regions and four Irish provinces – divided into two conferences and playing six fixtures, with a quartet of meetings against the other country’s representatives. Wales’ best will tackle the top Ireland team in a final.

Only the Bisley Stand is open for the Blues clash with unreserved seating and entry through gates four and six.

Season ticket holders have free entry on presenting their card, under-16s can get in for free once they have a match ticket and it costs £5 for adults.

Dragons A (v Cardiff Blues A): Will Talbot-Davies, Joe Goodchild, Deon Smith, Connor Edwards (captain), Jared Rosser, Jacob Botica, Dan Babos; Josh Reynolds, Rhys Lawrence, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, Max Williams, Lennon Greggains, James Benjamin, Ben Fry.

Replacements: Zac Hewlett, Scott Evans, Luke Yendle, Ed Scragg, Taine Basham, Dafydd Buckland, Tiaan Loots, Carwyn Penny.

Cardiff Blues A: Dan Fish; Aled Summerhill, Cam Lewis, Steven Shingler, Tom Williams; Ben Jones, Lewis Jones; Rhys Carré, Liam Belcher, Keiron Assiratti, Macauley Cook, James Down, Shane Lewis-Hughes, James Botham, Alun Lawrence (captain)

Replacements: Iestyn Harris, Fraser Young, Will Davies King, Cai Devine, Ioan Rhys Davies, Jamies Hill, Ben Thomas, Max Llewellyn​

Dragons fixtures
Weekend one, tomorrow: Dragons v Cardiff Blues
Weekend two, Saturday, September 14: Connacht (Ystrad Mynach)
Weekend three, Friday, September 21: Munster A (Cork)
Weekend four, Saturday, September 29: Ulster (Ballymena)
Weekend five, Saturday, October 6: Leinster (Ystrad Mynach)
Weekend six, October 12/13/14: Scarlets (away)