Waino hits Century to open new year

Wales international Aaron Wainwright plays his 100th game for Dragons RFC in the Welsh derby against Scarlets in the BKT United Rugby Championship on New Year’s Day (kick-off 5.15pm).

Wainwright hits the magic milestone – becoming the 36th player to achieve the feat in the club’s history – as the Men of Gwent look to open 2024 with a victory on home soil.

Head Coach Dai Flanagan makes eight changes to the side that lost out to Cardiff Rugby on Boxing Day.

Brothers Jared and Ewan Rosser start a professional match together for the first time as they are named out wide.

Exciting young centre Harri Ackerman makes his first start for Dragons, paired with Aneurin Owen in midfield.

The final change to the back division is a call-up for fly half Will Reed. He plays alongside captain Rhodri Williams at half back while Cai Evans moves to full back.

Argentina international Rodrigo Martinez is back up front while there is also a start for hooker James Benjamin.

Sean Lonsdale plays in the second row, alongside George Nott, while the final change is a start for Dan Lydiate at six. Harri Keddie moves to seven alongside milestone man Wainwright.

Brodie Coghlan, Ryan Woodman, Ollie Griffiths, and Corey Baldwin are named among the replacements.

Looking ahead to the game, Flanagan said: “It was an off day (against Cardiff), but my job is to break up that pattern. We can't just go on doing the same thing and expecting different outcomes.

“If I stuck with the same 23 players against the Scarlets, I am sure we would get a reaction, but it's not about that. There are mass changes. My human side would always want to give them the benefit of the doubt, but I need to break the chain.

“We also want to expose certain youngsters this season with regards to our plan for next season. We know in certain areas we need them to come through so let's do it now.

“They can get the shirt now because those that had it in Cardiff have missed the opportunity to go again.

“The message is simple. Whenever you get the shirt, you own the right to keep the shirt. That's the message to the 23 to take the field this weekend. You keep playing well, you keep the shirt.”

Dragons RFC: Cai Evans, Jared Rosser, Aneurin Owen, Harri Ackerman, Ewan Rosser, Will Reed, Rhodri Williams (c); Rodrigo Martinez, James Benjamin, Lloyd Fairbrother, Sean Lonsdale, George Nott, Dan Lydiate, Harri Keddie, Aaron Wainwright

Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Rhodri Jones, Leon Brown, Joe Davies, Ryan Woodman, Ollie Griffiths, Dane Blacker, Corey Baldwin

Unavailable (13): Gonzalo Bertranou (knee), Ben Carter (hamstring), Elliot Dee (ribs), Jack Dixon (knock), Rio Dyer (knock), Ashton Hewitt (knock), Steff Hughes (knock), Angus O’Brien (arm), Sio Tomkinson (neck), Josh Reynolds (pec), David Richards (back), Matthew Screech (knock), Joe Westwood (leg)