LLOYD Evans has got the nod to pull the strings as the starting fly-half on his Dragons debut against the Ospreys, while Wales legend Dan Lydiate is set to face his former side off the bench.
The Rodney Parade club get their United Rugby Championship campaign under way with a derby against the Welsh Shield holders (kick-off 3pm), the first of four games in Newport in the first block of six fixtures.
The Dragons aim to get off to a flying start and head coach Dai Flanagan has named two debutants in his XV.
Evans is selected at 10 after his summer move from Gloucester while Shane Lewis-Hughes starts at number eight in the absence of Aaron Wainwright, Taine Basham, Solomone Funaki and Ollie Griffiths.
Australian centre/full-back Harry Wilson is also set for his bow as a replacement after arriving from the Waratahs this summer.
The big calls are made at outside centre, scrum-half, loosehead and hooker.
Joe Westwood is preferred to summer signing Harry Wilson at 13, Dane Blacker starts with Rhodri Williams on the bench, Rodrigo Martinez pips Rhodri Jones at prop and Brodie Coghlan’s combative nature gets the nod at the heart of the front row.
Wales tighthead Leon Brown makes his first competitive Dragons appearance since January while Angus O’Brien has won his fitness race to start at full-back.
The bench features Wales and Lions great Lydiate, who has been involved in a new coaching role this summer.
The 36-year-old is in line for his 96th appearance for the Dragons because of the back row injuries, getting the nod ahead of George Young and youngster Evan Minto despite not featuring in pre-season.
Dragons: Angus O’Brien; Rio Dyer, Joe Westwood, Aneurin Owen, Jared Rosser; Lloyd Evans, Dane Blacker, Rodrigo Martinez, Brodie Coghlan, Leon Brown, Matthew Screech, Ben Carter (captain), Ryan Woodman, Harri Keddie, Shane Lewis-Hughes.
Replacements: James Benjamin, Rhodri Jones, Luke Yendle, George Nott, Dan Lydiate, Rhodri Williams, Harry Wilson, Ewan Rosser.
Ospreys: Jack Walsh; Luke Morgan, Owen Watkin, Kieran Williams, Ryan Conbeer; Dan Edwards, Reuben Morgan-Williams; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Tom Botha, James Ratti, Adam Beard, Jac Morgan (captain), Justin Tipuric, Morgan Morris.
Replacements: Lewis Lloyd, Steffan Thomas, Math Iowerth-Scott, Huw Sutton, Harri Deaves, Luke Davies, Phil Cokanasiga, Max Nagy.
Unavailable for Dragons (12): Harri Ackerman (leg), Dmitri Arhip (knee), Oli Andrew (hamstring), Steve Cummins (hand), Elliot Dee (ankle), Cai Evans (hamstring), Solomone Funaki (knee), Ollie Griffiths (back), Ashton Hewitt (knee), Che Hope (ankle), Aaron Wainwright (hamstring), Jordan Williams (ankle).
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