Eight changes as Dragons face Connacht

Tonga international Fine Inisi returns in midfield and scrum half Che Hope starts as Dragons RFC face Connacht Rugby in the BKT United Rugby Championship at Rodney Parade on Saturday (kick-off 7.45pm).

Head Coach Filo Tiatia makes eight changes to the side that defeated Lyon in Europe last Sunday as league hostilities resume in Newport.

Wales international Ben Carter is recalled and paired with Levi Douglas in the second row while there is also a return up front for Argentina international loosehead Rodrigo Martinez.

A new-look back row will see Harri Keddie – fresh from his two-try burst against Lyon – play at Number Eight while Ryan Woodman and Harry Beddall operate as flankers. Aaron Wainwright misses the game through injury.

Scrum half Hope, who impressed off the bench in Europe, is promoted to join Tinus de Beer at half back.

Wales ace Rio Dyer is back on the wing while the final change is the call-up for Inisi in midfield, where he will play in the 13 jersey.

Hooker George Roberts and prop Cebo Dlamini could both make their debuts from the bench while scrum half Rhodri Williams also returns.

Head Coach Filo Tiatia said: “We’re looking forward to the game and Connacht are a quality side.

“They have a good set piece, play flat and with width. Bundee Aki is a key figure in the team, and they can be very direct in midfield.

“They have big backs and their forward pack works hard. They also score the most points after eight phases (in the URC) and tend to score a lot of tries by building pressure.

“Stuart Lancaster has done a good job there so we are excited by the challenge on Saturday under the lights.”

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

Replacements: George Roberts, Jordan Morris, Cebo Dlamini, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Thomas Young, Rhodri Williams, Joe Westwood, Huw Anderson

Unavailable: James Benjamin, Brodie Coghlan, Chris Coleman, Seb Davies, Elliot Dee, Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Rhodri Jones, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Fetuli Paea, Aaron Wainwright