Will Rowlands returns to captain Dragons in derby

Wales international Will Rowlands returns to captain Dragons RFC as they face Cardiff Rugby in a huge BKT United Rugby Championship derby clash on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 5.15pm).

The Men of Gwent make a total of eight changes from the team that faced Benetton for the clash at Cardiff Arms Park.

Rowlands partners international team-mate Ben Carter in the second row while a new-look front row contains Aki Seiuli, Bradley Roberts and Lloyd Fairbrother.

Taine Basham and Ross Moriarty are named in the back row alongside Sean Lonsdale.

Scrum half Rhodri Williams join JJ Hanrahan at half back while the final change is a recall for centre Sio Tomkinson.

The bench includes scrum half Gonzalo Bertranou and back row Harri Keddie. who could both make their first appearances of the season.

Dragons RFC: Angus O’Brien, Rio Dyer, Sio Tomkinson, Jack Dixon, Jared Rosser, JJ Hanrahan, Rhodri Williams; Aki Seiuli, Bradley Roberts, Lloyd Fairbrother, Ben Carter, Will Rowlands (c), Sean Lonsdale, Taine Basham, Ross Moriarty

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rhodri Jones, Chris Coleman, Aaron Wainwright, Harrison Keddie, Gonzalo Bertranou, Steff Hughes, Jordan Williams

Unavailable: Leon Brown (neck), Ollie Griffiths (back), Ashton Hewitt (ankle), George Nott (hand)