THE Dragons have chosen not to rush back Wales international Ross Moriarty against Zebre but Argentina scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou will make his debut in Parma.

The Pumas half-back will start in tomorrow’s Guinness PRO14 clash at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (kick-off 5.15pm) with captain Rhodri Williams dropping down to the bench where he is joined by Jamie Roberts on his return from paternity leave.

Moriarty had been in contention for his first action since suffering an ankle injury in the autumn but the Dragons have opted to give him another week of training, with the 2017 Lions tourist now eyeing next weekend’s trip to Bridgend to face the Ospreys.

Director of rugby Dean Ryan has made five changes to the XV that faced Leinster last weekend, opting for a mobile starting line-up and an experienced bench.

South Wales Argus: INFLUENTIAL: Harri Keddie has been in fine form in the Dragons’ back row

Bertranou comes in at 9 and will boss around a pack that features loosehead Greg Bateman, hooker Ellis Shipp, lock Joe Maksymiw and back row forward Harri Keddie (pictured), who returns from a head injury to lead the side.

Former Wales and Lions centre Roberts is among the replacements after missing out last week following the birth of his son.

There is plenty of experience next to him on the bench in the shape of Richard Hibbard, Aaron Jarvis, Joe Davies, Dan Baker, Williams and Josh Lewis, with Ryan hoping they can help finish the job to end a seven-game losing streak.

Stalwart Brok Harris is rested with promising loosehead Josh Reynolds backing up Bateman.

Zebre are withouth 13 players because of the Six Nations with eight of their contingent featuring for Italy against Ireland.

Zebre: M Biondelli; P Bruno, T Boni (captain), E Lucchin, G Di Giulio; P Pescetto, M Violi; D Rimpelli, O Fabiani, E Bello, S Ortis, I Nagle, L Masselli, P Leavasa, R Giammarioli.
Replacements: M Ceciliani, P Buonfiglio, M Nocera, M Kearney, J Tuivaiti, N Casilio, A Rizzi, J Elliott.

Dragons: J Williams, J Holmes, A Owen, J Dixon, A Hewitt, S Davies, G Bertranou, G Bateman, E Shipp, L Fairbrother, B Carter, J Maksymiw, H Keddie (captain), B Fry, H Taylor.

Replacements: R Hibbard, J Reynolds, A Jarvis, J Davies, D Baker, R Williams, J Lewis, J Roberts.