Dragons v Connacht - RaboDirect PRO12 match preview

Gavin Duffy: One of three changes for Connacht

Jack Dixon: Named on the Dragons bench

Newport Gwent Dragons will reward Jack Dixon and Ieuan Jones will places on the bench to face Connacht in the RaboDirect PRO12 on Friday.

Wales Under-20s international Dixon and Jones impressed in the LV=Cup games over the past fortnight, so will be looking to make their most of their inclusion against Connacht.

The Dragons have also named Lewis Evans and Phil Price in their line-up for the return to league action.

Connacht have made just the three just changes from the side that beat Benetton Treviso 18-3 in their last league outing.

Captain Gavin Duffy, Mick Kearney and Michael Swift all return, with Ethienne Reynecke named on the bench.

Also among the replacements, flying winger Matt Healy could earn his first cap after impressing for the second string.

Dragons: 15 Tom Prydie, 14 Will Harries, 13 Pat Leach, 12 Ashley Smith, 11 Tonderai Chavhanga, 10 Dan Evans, 9 Wayne Evans, 1 Phil Price, 2 Hugh Gustafson, 3 Dan Way, 4 Adam Jones, 5 Rob Sidoli, 6 Lewis Evans (capt), 7 Nic Cudd, 8 Tom Brown.
Replacements: 16 Steve Jones, 17 Owen Evans, 18 Nathan Buck, 19 Ian Nimmo, 20 Ieuan Jones, 21 Jonathan Evans, 22 Lewis Robling, 23 Jack Dixon.

Connacht: 15 Robbie Henshaw, 14 Tiernan O'Halloran, 13 Danie Poolman, 12 Dave McSharry, 11 Gavin Duffy (captain), 10 Dan Parks, 9 Kieran Marmion, 1 Denis Buckley, 2 Jason Harris-Wright, 3 Nathan White, 4 Michael Swift, 5 Mick Kearney, 6 Andrew Browne, 7 Willie Faloon, 8 Eoin McKeon.
Replacements: 16 Ethienne Reynecke, 17 Rodney Ah You, 18 Ronan Loughney, 19 Dave Gannon, 20 Johnny O'Connor, 21 David Moore, 22 Miah Nikora, 23 Matt Healy

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