Newport Gwent Dragons v Glasgow Warriors- RaboDirect Pro12 Preview

Duncan Weir: Scotland international returns at fly-half

Gregor Townsend: set to hand Mark Bennett his first start

Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend has handed a first start to on-loan centre Mark Bennett for their game against the Dragons.

The Warriors have also been bolstered by the return of internationals Duncan Weir, Henry Pyrgos and Pat MacArthur to the starting line-up.

Along with the re-introduction of Weir and Pyrgos to the half-back roles, Townsend is also able to recall winger DTH van der Merwe who has recovered from a head injury.

Byron McGuigan joings van der Merwe on the opposite wing as Peter Murchie and Alex Dunbar retain their starting spots.

Jon Welsh starts at tight-head with Gordon Reid and Pat MacArthur forming a familiar partnership at loose-head and hooker respectively.

Tim Swinson and Tom Ryder are the pairing in the Glasgow second row. James Eddie comes into the back-row to join Ryan Wilson and John Barclay.

Meanwhile, the Dragons' only change from the team that beat Treviso last week sees prop Owen Evans replace Phil Price.

The teams:

Dragons: 15 Dan Evans, 14 Will Harries, 13 Pat Leach, 12 Jack Dixon, 11 Tom Prydie, 10 Steffan Jones, 9 Jonathan Evans, 8 Owen Evans, 7 Hugh Gustafson, 6 Nathan Buck, 5 Ian Nimmo, 4 Adam Jones, 3 Lewis Evans (capt), 2 Nic Cudd, 1 Ieuan Jones.
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Aaron Coundley, 18 Nathan Williams, 19 Josh Tyler, 20 Jevon Groves, 21 Wayne Evans, 22 Adam Hughes, 23 Hallam Amos.

Glasgow Warriors: 15 Peter Murchie, 14 Byron McGuigan, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 DTH Van Der Merwe, 10 Duncan Weir, 9 Henry Prygos, 8 Ryan Wilson (capt), 7 John Barclay, 6 James Eddie, 5 Tom Ryder, 4 Tim Swinson, 3 Jon Welsh, 2 Pat MacArthur, 1 Gordon Reid.
Replacements: 16 Gerwyn Price, 17 Ofa Fainga'anuku, 18 Moray Low, 19 Jonny Gray, 20 Josh Strauss, 21 Niko Matawalu, 22 Scott Wight, 23 Fraser Thomson

What they said...

Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend

"Mark has had to wait a little while to make his first appearance since arriving in November but the opportunities have been limited so it's great that he can start in Newport on Friday and get a chance to show what he can do.

Dragons prop Owen Evans

"It's brilliant and the fact that I am getting opportunities to play is even better.

"This time last year I'd be happy to be involved in the pro side and take any game, but now I am here and now I have had a chance I want to be involved in every single game."

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