Dragons back row Jevon Groves is set to lead the Men of Gwent for the first time as they take on Leinster at the RDS on Saturday (6:15pm). Although this is his first outing as Dragons captain, he is no stranger to the position having captained the Wales Sevens team to the Plate semi-finals during the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Fellow back row and regional captain Lewis Evans makes his return from injury from the bench whilst prop Tim Ryan will be looking to start his competitive career at the Dragons as a replacement.
With an unchanged back line from the 37-6 victory over the Zebre last week, Head Coach Darren Edwards has rung the changes in the forwards with Nimmo, Faletau and Groves the only survivors from last weekend’s starting lineup.
Dragons team
Dan Evans, Will Harries, Pat Leach, Andy Tuilagi, Tom Prydie, Steffan Jones; Jonathan Evans; Nathan Williams, Sam Parry, Nathan Buck, Ian Nimmo, Adam Jones, Hywel Stoddart, Jevon Groves (c), Toby Faletau
Replacements
Hugh Gustafson, Aaron Coundley, Tim Ryan, Lewis Evans, Tom Brown, Liam Davies (Bedwas), Ashley Smith, Hallam Amos.
Players not selected through injury;
Joe Bedford (shoulder), Adam Hughes (hamstring), Tonderai Chavhanga (knee), Jamie Smith (ankle), Matthew Pewtner (hamstring), Dan Watchurst (leg break), Darren Waters (knee), Rob Sidoli (Calf), Andrew Coombes (Knee), Dan Lydiate (sternum), Mike Poole (knee)
Fellow back row and regional captain Lewis Evans makes his return from injury from the bench whilst prop Tim Ryan will be looking to start his competitive career at the Dragons as a replacement.
With an unchanged back line from the 37-6 victory over the Zebre last week, Head Coach Darren Edwards has rung the changes in the forwards with Nimmo, Faletau and Groves the only survivors from last weekend’s starting lineup.
Dragons team
Dan Evans, Will Harries, Pat Leach, Andy Tuilagi, Tom Prydie, Steffan Jones; Jonathan Evans; Nathan Williams, Sam Parry, Nathan Buck, Ian Nimmo, Adam Jones, Hywel Stoddart, Jevon Groves (c), Toby Faletau
Replacements
Hugh Gustafson, Aaron Coundley, Tim Ryan, Lewis Evans, Tom Brown, Liam Davies (Bedwas), Ashley Smith, Hallam Amos.
Players not selected through injury;
Joe Bedford (shoulder), Adam Hughes (hamstring), Tonderai Chavhanga (knee), Jamie Smith (ankle), Matthew Pewtner (hamstring), Dan Watchurst (leg break), Darren Waters (knee), Rob Sidoli (Calf), Andrew Coombes (Knee), Dan Lydiate (sternum), Mike Poole (knee)
