Dragons make eight changes
Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:15
Newport Gwent Dragons coach Paul Turner made eight changes to the team that faced Edinburgh, for their Magners League clash with Glasgow Warriors at Rodney Parade on Sunday.
Gareth Wyatt replaces Martyn Thomas on the wing and Aled Thomas comes in for the injured Ceri Sweeney at flyhalf.
Both Thomas and Sweeney were injured in the Magners League game against Edinburgh.
In the front row there is a change at loosehead prop, as a re-occurring back injury keeps Hugh Gustafson out and Adam Black returns, pending a fitness test at the weekend.
Also Rhys Thomas returns from international duty to replace tighthead prop Lee Harrison.
There are four changes to the back five, with Adam Jones and Luke Charteris replacing Andy Hall and Peter Sidoli respectively. Jamie Ringer and captain Colin Charvis return and Michael Owen moves to the bench. Richard Parks incurred an injury against Edinburgh.
Newport Gwent Dragons secured a hard fought win when the two teams last clashed in the Magners League on January 4 in Glasgow.
"Training has been going well and we've prepared for Glasgow, which kicks off our next block of games, with the view that we need to climb up in the Magners League," Turner said.
"The break in the season has meant that long-term injured players have recovered and we were able to select from our largest squad of fit players in a long time this week.
"It's allowed competition and intensity to be created in training and we hope this will boost our performance against Glasgow."
Colin Charvis returns from injury to captain the side.
"I'm looking forward to getting back out there with the team against Glasgow," Charvis said.
"While there's been a break in the amount of games we've had, the team have really gelled over the last few weeks and feel well prepared for the weekend."
Newport Gwent Dragons: 15 Kevin Morgan, 14 Gareth
Wyatt, 13 Rhodri Gomer Davies, 12 Ashley Smith, 11 Richard Fussell, 10 Aled Thomas, 9 Andy Williams, 8 Colin Charvis (captain), 7 Jamie Ringer, 6 Joe Bearman, 5 Luke Charteris, 4 Adam Jones, 3 Rhys Thomas, 2 Steve Jones, 1 Adam Black/ Dai Pattison.
Replacements: 16 Ben Daly, 17 Gethin Robinson/ AN Other, 18 Peter Sidoli, 19 Michael Owen, 20 Paul Emerick, 21 Martyn Thomas, 22 Wayne Evans.
Date: Sunday, 30 March
Venue: Rodney Parade, Newport
Kick-off: 16.05 GMT
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Touch judges: David Bodilly (Wales), David Williams (Wales)
TMO: Gareth Simmonds (Wales)
