Tutavuki to make debut for Dragons in opener

Tonga international wing Anzelo Tuitavuki makes his club debut as Dragons RFC face Benetton Rugby in the opening round of the BKT United Rugby Championship season on Friday (kick-off 7.45pm).

Head Coach Filo Tiatia selects his first match day squad of the campaign with summer recruit Tuitavuki named alongside Rio Dyer and Huw Anderson in an exciting back three for the clash at Stadio Monigo.

Co-captain Aneurin Owen and Fine Inisi are paired in midfield while Rhodri Williams and Tinus de Beer operate together at half back.

Prop Rodrigo Martinez, fresh from international duty with Argentina this summer, is back up front alongside Oli Burrows and Chris Coleman.

Barny Langton-Cryer, who has impressed throughout pre-season, joins Seb Davies in the second row and will make his first ever URC start.

Exciting young Number Eight Evan Minto also makes his first start for in the league in the back row that also. features Thomas Young and Ryan Woodman.

Tiatia said: “Benetton want to play with speed, are a very good set piece side with a good scrum and are loaded with internationals.

“They have new coaching staff in Wayne (Pivac) and our friend Patch (Rhys Patchell) so they’ll try a few things and play with more tempo to try and take opportunities when teams are fatigued.

“We want to be different to when we went (to Italy) last season,” he added. “We are looking forward to going to Treviso and facing a good side at their home.

“If you allow teams to play, like we did the last time we faced them in Treviso, then they can dominate possession and territory. We’ve learned from that occasion, and it’ll be a good challenge for us.

“We have given opportunity to players who have earned the opportunity to put the jersey on,” he concluded.

“There are some injuries, and lot of those players are not too far in terms of return to play, which is encouraging, but we have got to keep growing the group.”

Dragons RFC: Huw Anderson, Rio Dyer, Fine Inisi, Aneurin Owen (cc), Anzelo Tuitavuki, Tinus de Beer, Rhodri Williams; Rodrigo Martinez, Oli Burrows, Chris Coleman, Barny Langton-Cryer, Seb Davies, Ryan Woodman, Thomas Young (cc), Evan Minto

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones, Robert Hunt, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Harry Beddall, Che Hope, Jac Lloyd, Fetuli Paea

Unavailable: Harri Ackerman, Ben Carter, Levi Douglas, Eretara Enari, Rhodri Jones, Harri Keddie, Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Jordan Morris, Angus O’Brien, Jared Rosser, Matthew Screech