THE Dragons have rung the changes in the backs for tomorrow’s Guinness PRO14 clash with Munster in Newport (kick-off 3pm).
The Rodney Parade region are looking to respond to last weekend’s home hammering by French giants Clermont Auvergne in the European Challenge Cup.
Caretaker boss Ceri Jones is forced into two changes with Wales internationals Hallam Amos and Aaron Wainwright absent ahead of the Six Nations.
That leads to Will Talbot-Davies coming in on the left wing and stalwart Nic Cudd slotting in at openside flanker.
Jared Rosser is the sole survivor in the three-quarters from the 49-7 loss to Clermont with full-back Jordan Williams completing the back three and Wales centre Tyler Morgan, back from a knee twinge, partnering Jack Dixon in midfield.
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Josh Lewis returns to pull the strings from fly-half with Jason Tovey, who is still five points shy of 1,000 for the Dragons after drawing a blank last week, dropping to the bench.
He is joined among the replacements by lock/back row Lewis Evans, who is involved for the first time since the derby win against the Ospreys at the end of December, and loosehead Rhys Fawcett, who signed from the Scarlets on a short-term loan on Wednesday.
Bright back row prospect Taine Basham returns to the bench before heading to the Six Nations with Wales Under-20s.
Tomorrow’s visitors head to Newport without their Ireland stars ahead of the Six Nations but are still favourites to strengthen their position at the head of Conference A.
The Irish province are fresh from a bruising and thrilling Champions Cup victory against Exeter and the Dragons head coach expects the same approach from the ‘second string’.
“We have prepared the same way as we would if Munster were going to play their first team,” said Jones. “They are a top quality team with loads of power as well.
“The mentality of that Munster team will be to come through the front door, to be very physical, good at the breakdown and have aggressive line speed.
“You expect that of Munster no matter what their team is.”
The Dragons beat the Ospreys last time they played in the PRO14 in Newport, a victory sandwiched by battling displays in defeat to Cardiff Blues and the Scarlets.
“We’ve got to keep on building on our performance since Clermont away. The only blip was the game last weekend but Clermont are a very, very good team, let’s not forget that,” said Jones.
“They are top of the French league for a reason. We were disappointed with some individual errors and there are other things we could have done better, but we are aiming to keep the momentum that we gathered over the Christmas period into this next run of games.”
Munster make 13 changes to the side that beat Exeter but still head to Rodney Parade with a talented team featuring Jean Kleyn and Billy Holland in the boilerhouse and influential South African Arno Botha in the back row.
Dragons: J Williams, J Rosser, T Morgan, J Dixon, W Talbot-Davies; J Lewis, R Williams; B Harris, R Hibbard (captain), L Fairbrother, J Davies, M Screech, H Keddie, N Cudd, O Griffiths. Replacements: R Lawrence, R Fawcett, D Suter, L Evans, T Basham, R Davies, J Tovey, Z Kirchner.
Munster: M Haley; D Sweetnam, D Goggin, T Bleyendaal (captain), R O’Mahony; B Johnston, A Mathewson; J Loughman, R Marshall, S Archer; J Kleyn, B Holland; F Wycherley, C Oliver, A Botha. Replacements: K O’Byrne, L O’Connor, C Parker, D O’Shea, G Coombes, N Cronin, C Nash, J Taute.
Referee: Ben Blain (Scotland)
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