Dragons v Wasps: Teams

The Dragons will be looking to open their account in this season's Heineken Cup campaign when they host Wasps in unfamiliar surroundings.

The Pool Six fixture will take place at the Cardiff City Stadium due to a frozen pitch at Newport's usual home, Rodney Parade.

The switch in venue will hopefully bring a change in fortunes for the Dragons in Europe, as they have so far failed to register a point in their two outings.

Ashley Smith skippers the Men of Gwent, who are without squad captain Tom Willis due to a recurring knee problem.

Danny Lydiate has not yet recovered from a thigh strain, whilst Luke Charteris also remains absent, but Pat Leach is now registered for European action in place of the retired Danny Lee, so starts at full-back.

Rob Sidoli, who was set to miss the postponed Magners League clash against Ulster recently, returns to the second row to partner Adam Jones.

In-form Wasps

Meanwhile, Wasps have made only two changes to the starting line up that secured a 24-12 win over Exeter in the Aviva Premiership last weekend.

Both alterations come in the front row; prop Zak Taulafo and hooker Joe Ward coming in to bolster the pack. Taulafo trades places with Shaun Ruwers, who is named amongst the subs, whilst Ward returns from a concussion sustained against Bath.

Winger Richard Haughton, who picked up a knee injury in the same game, is available again and has been named on the bench.

Wasps are in excellent form ahead of a return to European action, having secured four wins in as many weeks.

"The last four weeks doesn't mean anything unless we get the result on Sunday," said director of rugby Tony Hanks.

"Returning to the Heineken Cup we are aware of the challenge ahead and have only one focus - to secure the result through a strong performance.

"We are preparing for this game on its own merits and not concerning ourselves with games later in the pool stages. We are focused on what is in front of us now and that is a strong Newport Gwent Dragons side.

"We are excited to play at a fairly new stadium for the first time and credit must go to ERC and Newport Gwent Dragons for acting quickly and relocating the game to prevent any major disruption to the teams and supporters."

Dragons: 15 Patrick Leach, 14 Adam Hughes, 13 Tom Riley, 12 Ashley Smith, 11 Aled Brew, 10 Jason Tovey, 9 Wayne Evans, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Gavin Thomas, 6 Lewis Evans, 5 Robert Sidoli, 4 Adam Jones, 3 Nigel Hall, 2 Lloyd Burns, 1 Phil Price.
Replacements: 16 Steve Jones, 17 Hugh Gustafson, 18 Ben Castle, 19 Scott Morgan, 20 Hugo Ellis, 21 James Leadbeater, 22 Will Harries, 23 Matthew Jones.

Wasps: 15 Mark van Gisbergen, 14 Tom Varndell, 13 Ben Jacobs, 12 Steve Kefu, 11 David Lemi, 10 Dave Walder, 9 Joseph Simpson, 8 Andy Powell, 7 Serge Betsen, 6 Joe Worsley, 5 James Cannon, 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Ben Broster, 2 Joe Ward, 1 Zak Taulafo.
Replacements: 16 Tom Lindsay, 17 Shaun Ruwers, 18 Bob Baker, 19 Marty Veale, 20 Dan Ward-Smith, 21 Nic Berry, 22 Seb Jewell, 23 Richard Haughton.