FLANKER James Benjamin will play his first game since February for the Dragons XV against Munster A at Rodney Parade in the Celtic Cup tomorrow.
The 25-year-old from Rogerstone has been sidelined since suffering a neck injury in the Guinness PRO14 defeat at Benetton in Treviso.
Benjamin will make his return in the development competition at openside as the Dragons bolster their pack after their opening weekend defeat to Connacht Eagles.
Coach Luke Narraway pointed to his young side being dominated up front in the second half of the 24-19 loss at the Sportsground – "we just couldn't get parity in that arm wrestle" – so will welcome the availability of senior forwards Benjamin, lock Joe Davies (pictured below) and back rower Huw Taylor.
They are among seven changes to the startling line-up, which is again captained by Wales sevens international and flanker Ben Roach.
Loosehead Josh Reynolds, full-back Carwyn Penny, scrum-half Dan Babos and fly-half Jacob Botica get the nod for what promises to be a tough encounter.
"Munster have a rich pedigree and they have always played the game a certain way," said Narraway.
"Even with South African coaches now they play the Munster way and that is physical, they like to squeeze teams and pressurise teams. Obviously they can really play as well, but that is their foundation.
"We know we need to stand up to that, we need to try and impose ourselves and take that away from them.
"If we can do that, then hopefully we can bolt on all the nice stuff and play a fast brand of rugby which will excite the fans and get our players really looking forward to ball in hand."
The Dragons impressed with ball in hand last week with wings Rio Dyer and James McCarthy, an Ireland Under-20s international who is set to face his former Munster teammates, scoring cracking tries either side of a score by centre Connor Edwards.
"We spoke about what is in the DNA of Dragons, and we want to play with tempo, we want to play fast and we want to showcase our talent," said Narraway.
"We did that and scored a cracking try off a lineout and first-phase attack, our counter-attack was a threat the whole game and we almost scored one try that could have potentially been the try of the tournament.
"We need to learn that it is brilliant that we can play that way, but we have also got to marry that up with the other side of the game.
"When teams go to that arm wrestle, take us to that place where we've got to get parity. If we can do that then we can get into teams."
Newport tighthead Garin Harris features among the replacements.
The 24-year-old has made 77 appearances for the Black and Ambers since heading to Rodney Parade from Pontypool in 2016.
Munster started their campaign with a 20-20 draw against the Ospreys in Cork.
The Irish province won 34-17 when the Dragons travelled to Musgrave Park last season.
Dragons XV: Carwyn Penny, Rio Dyer, Connor Edwards, Aneurin Owen, James McCarthy, Jacob Botica, Dan Babos; Josh Reynolds, Ellis Shipp, Luke Yendle, Joe Davies, Max Williams, Ben Roach (captain), James Benjamin, Huw Taylor
Replacements: Will Griffiths, Jack Cosgrove, Garin Harris, Ed Scragg, Ben Fry, Dafydd Buckland, Evan Lloyd, Owen Jenkins
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