Dragons make four changes for New Years Day clash

Back row tyros Harri Keddie and Harry Beddall win call ups to the starting line-up as Dragons RFC face Scarlets Rugby in the BKT United Rugby Championship at Rodney Parade on New Year’s Day (kick-off 3pm).

Head Coach Filo Tiatia makes four changes to the side narrowly beaten by Cardiff and reshapes his back row with the two call-ups named alongside Wales international ace Aaron Wainwright.

Fit-again hooker Oli Burrows also returns up front while there is a positional change for Ryan Woodman who moves into the second row.

The final change comes in the back division where there is a recall for David Richards on the wing.

Prop Wyn Jones could make his 100th appearance in the URC from the replacements bench where there are also returns for Joe Westwood and Ewan Rosser.

Head Coach Tiatia said: “We’re looking to the challenge, another Welsh derby and representing the jersey and the people of Gwent on New Year’s Day.

“It’s set to be a huge crowd at Rodney Parade, so we need to embrace the atmosphere and look to build on the performances and what we have achieved on home soil in recent games.”

Dragons RFC: Angus O’Brien (cc), David Richards, Fine Inisi, Aneurin Owen, Rio Dyer, Tinus de Beer, Che Hope; Rodrigo Martinez, Oli Burrows, Robert Hunt, Ryan Woodman, Ben Carter (cc), Harri Keddie, Harry Beddall, Aaron Wainwright

Replacements: George Roberts, Wyn Jones, Cebo Dlamini, Levi Douglas, Thomas Young, Rhodri Williams, Joe Westwood, Ewan Rosser

Unavailable: James Benjamin, Brodie Coghlan, Chris Coleman, Elliot Dee, Cai Evans, Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Rhodri Jones, Dillon Lewis, Fetuli Paea, Jared Rosser