Hewitt returns for Connacht clash
Wing Ashton Hewitt will make his first Guinness PRO14 appearance at Rodney Parade since March 2018 as Dragons face Connacht Rugby on Friday evening (kick-off 7.35pm).
Hewitt, who missed last season with a shoulder injury, is back in the line-up after missing the Zebre away victory with a facial knock.
Dean Ryan, Director of Dragons Rugby, makes three changes to his starting team as league action returns to Newport for the first time this season.
Centre Adam Warren is called up to partner Tyler Morgan in midfield.
The final change is in the back row where Huw Taylor is named at six, as Lewis Evans moves across to play at Number Eight.
Fly half Sam Davies will make his home debut in the league while wing Owen Jenkins also makes a PRO14 bow at Rodney Parade.
Hooker Ellis Shipp and prop Ryan Bevington return to the bench.
Ryan said: “We’re looking forward to coming home, after the first two games on the road, and playing under the lights at Rodney Parade.
“I’ve heard good things about Friday night games in Newport so I’m looking forward to sampling that for the first time.
“Connacht’s collective is their main threat,” he added. “It is a side that won a PRO14 title on that collective.
“They’ve got some very talented players, but I don’t think anyone saw that title coming in four years ago, so that is credit to the environment they have created.
“It is something we are working hard to replicate and we know it will be a big test of where we are on Friday night.”
Dragons (v Connacht Rugby):
Jordan Williams, Owen Jenkins, Tyler Morgan, Adam Warren, Ashton Hewitt, Sam Davies, Rhodri Williams (c); Brok Harris, Richard Hibbard, Leon Brown, Joe Davies, Matthew Screech, Huw Taylor, Taine Basham, Lewis Evans
Replacements:
Ellis Shipp, Ryan Bevington, Lloyd Fairbrother, Max Williams, Harri Keddie, Tavis Knoyle, Jacob Botica, Jack Dixon
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