The Dragons host the Scarlets in a crucial Welsh derby at Rodney Parade on Saturday (3pm), with former Wales scrum-half Rhodri Williams making his 150th appearance for the Dragons. Williams becomes only the 13th player in the club's history to reach that milestone.
Filo Tiatia's side claimed a respectable draw in Treviso in their United Rugby Championship opener last weekend, while the Scarlets are looking to bounce back after falling short against Cardiff in Llanelli.
Dragons make five changes
Tiatia makes five changes as the Men of Gwent return to a packed-out Rodney Parade. Wales international Ben Carter returns as captain for his first start of the season, called into the second row alongside Seb Davies. Hooker Elliot Dee and prop Robert Hunt are back up front to join forces with Rodrigo Martinez.
Shane Lewis-Hughes makes his first start of the campaign at blindside, while Harri Keddie is back in the number eight jersey and openside Thomas Young completes a new-look back row. Hooker Brodie Coghlan and props Rhodri Jones and Dillon Lewis are named among the replacements.
Scarlets boosted by Costelow return
The Scarlets have been boosted by the return of Wales outside-half Sam Costelow, who has recovered from a concussion to take his place in the starting XV. Blair Murray, Ellis Mee and Macs Page again line up in the back three, Eddie James and Joe Roberts continue their midfield partnership, while Costelow links up with Dane Blacker at half-back.
There are four personnel and two positional changes in the pack. The fit-again Kemsley Mathias comes in at loose-head prop, while Harri O'Connor starts at tight-head, packing down with Ryan Elias in an all-Wales international front row. New signing Alex Groves, who made his home debut last weekend, starts in the second row and partners Sam Lousi, who switches from blindside flanker.
Coaches look ahead
"The players are looking forward to the game," said Tiatia. "They are special games to be involved in, and the boys are excited. We take some learnings from Benetton and now it is about how we move forward against a good side in Scarlets."
Scarlets director of rugby Nigel Davies said: "Reflecting on last weekend, there were some good parts in there, evidence of the work we have been doing, but obviously areas to work on as well, which has been a focus this week. The Dragons are a team moving forward, they play an expansive game and have a pack of forwards who can compete."
