European Challenge Cup: Newport Gwent Dragons v Bucharest Wolves preview
Last Updated: 11/12/14 3:10pm
Newport Gwent Dragons have made three changes to their starting line-up for Friday’s European Challenge Cup return fixture with Bucharest Wolves.
The Welsh side were comfortable 37-10 winners in Romania last weekend and another bonus-point victory would boost their chances of progressing from Pool 3.
Tom Prydie shifts to full-back for the Rodney Parade contest, with Hallam Amos coming in on the left wing as Geraint Rhys Jones drops to the bench.
Jason Tovey is partnered at half-back by Jonathan Evans, who replaces Richie Rees, while Ross Wardle and Ashley Smith are retained at centre.
Brok Harris moves across the front row to tighthead as Phil Price is selected at loosehead, while Wales and Lions star Taulupe Faletau is named among the replacements.
“Bucharest are very big up front and that is their game plan,” said Price. “All they want to do is utilise their forwards by using driving mauls and scrums to their advantage.
“It’s great having Kingsley (Jones) here as he has a big insight to their game. He has been around the same environment whilst in Russia so he has been able to help with the tactics for last weekend and Friday's game.
“They are big threats but we will try and take them on in their own game and hopefully the backs then will finish off the job.”
Newport Gwent Dragons: 15 Tom Prydie, 14 Matthew Pewtner, 13 Ross Wardle, 12 Ashley Smith, 11 Hallam Amos, 10 Jason Tovey, 9 Jonathan Evans; 1 Phil Price, 2 T Rhys Thomas, 3 Brok Harris, 4 Andrew Coombs, 5 Cory Hill, 6 James Thomas, 7 Nic Cudd, Lewis Evans (c).
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Owen Evans, 18 Dan Way, 19 Rynard Landman, 20 Taulupe Faletau, 21 Luc Jones, 22 Dorian Jones, 23 Geraint Rhys Jones.
Bucharest Wolves: 15 Luke Samoa, 14 Marian Apostol, 13 Catalin Dascalu, 12 Andrei-Daniel Ilie, 11 Ionut Botezatu, 10. Florin Vlaicu (c), 9 Grigoras Diaconescu; 1 Constantin Pristavita, 2 Otar Turashvili , 3 Vlad Badalicescu, 4 Paul Ailenei, 5 Onal Ageacai, 6 Vali-Catalin Mototolea, 7 Johan Van Heerden, 8 Razvan Ailenei.
Replacements: 16 Alexandru-Claudiu Oancea, 17 Mihai Dico, 18 Silviu Vasiliu, 19 Petre Neacsu, 20 Alexandru Mitu, 21 Florin Surugiu, 22 Filip-Emanuel Lazar, 23 Florin Ionita.