Dragons v Exeter: Teams
The Dragons need a win to keep them in the running for a place in the knockout stages of the Amlin Challenge Cup.
Last Updated: 16/12/11 5:35pm
The Dragons need a win to keep them in the running for a place in the knockout stages of the Amlin Challenge Cup.
They have made five changes to the side that lost 18-6 in Exeter last week, with half back pairing Wayne Evans and Jason Tovey returning to start in place of Joe Bedford and Steffan Jones respectively.
Lewis Robling provides the fly-half cover on the bench as Jones drops out of the 23 man squad.
Anitelea Tuilagi starts in the centres again, this time partnered by Adam Hughes who moves in from the wing.
Aled Brew is fully fit to start and takes Hughes' place on the left wing and on the other wing Tonderai Chavhanga comes back into the line-up having missed the game in Exeter with a groin injury.
There is only one change in the pack with Nathan Williams starting ahead of Phil Price at prop.
The Chiefs, who are the Pool leaders after last week's victory, know an away win will put them in the driving seat with two rounds of games to come after Christmas.
Head coach Rob Baxter has made four changes in personnel with Pat Phibbs promoted from the bench in place of Haydn Thomas at scrum-half, while Jason Shoemark returns in the centres.
Nic Sestaret switches to the right wing to allow Gonzalo Camacho a well-earned rest. On the bench, Kevin Barrett is added to cover the scrum-half spot vacated by Phibbs.
Brett Sturgess returns at loosehead in place of Hoani Tui, whilst the inclusion of James Scaysbrook at openside means former Cardiff Blues forward Ben White switches to the opposite flank with Richard Baxter dropping out.
Newport Gwent Dragons : 15 Martyn Thomas, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Adam Hughes, 12 Andy Tuilagi, 11 Aled Brew, 10 Jason Tovey, 9 Wayne Evans, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Gavin Thomas, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Robert Sidoli, 4 Adam Jones, 3 Nathan Buck, 2 Lloyd Burns, 1 Nathan Williams.
Replacements: 16 Rhys Buckley, 17 Phil Price, 18 Keiron Jenkins, 19 Lewis Evans, 20 Tom Brown, 21 Joe Bedford, 22 Lewis Robling, 23 Will Harries.
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Nick Sestaret, 13 Jason Shoemark, 12 Phil Dollman, 11 Matt Jess, 10 Ignacio Mieres, 9 Patrick Phibbs, 1 Brett Sturgess, 2 Simon Alcott, 3 Craig Mitchell, 4 Tom Hayes, 5 Chris Bentley, 6 Ben White, 7 James Scaysbrook, 8 James Phillips.
Replacements: 16 Neil Clark, 17 Hoani Tui, 18 John Andress, 19 Alastair Muldowney, 20 Dave Ewers, 21 Kevin Barrett, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 Joseph Tatupu,