Zebre v Dragons: Guinness PRO12 preview
Last Updated: 02/03/15 11:17am
The Dragons have made three changes to their team as they head to Stadio Lanfranchi to take on Zebre on Sunday evening.
The team that narrowly lost out to Connacht at Rodney Parade last weekend sees minor changes as Jason Tovey, who is unavailable due to a sprained ankle, makes way for full-back Geraint Rhys Jones.
Jones completes the back three with international wings Tom Prydie and Hallam Amos.
The midfield partnership of Jack Dixon and Ashley Smith retain their jerseys from last week after good performances, while fly-half Dorian Jones is joined by No 9 Jonathan Evans.
The highly experienced front row remains unchanged as props Boris Stankovich and Brok Harris join hooker Rhys Thomas, who captains the team from the front row.
After making his 100th appearance last weekend from the bench, Ian Gough moves into the starting XV where he is joined by 23-year-old Cory Hill in the second row.
The loose trio is formed of flankers James Thomas and Nic Cudd, while the No 8 jersey is worn by New Zealander Nick Crosswell.
The replacements bench sees three changes as young guns Matthew Screech, Luc Jones and Ashton Hewitt join Rhys Buckley, Lloyd Fairbrother, Dan Way, James Benjamin and Matthew Pewtner.
Meanwhile Zebre face the task of facing a Dragons team they have never beaten in five encounters. Last year they came closest to doing so but were forced to be settle for a 25-25 draw in Italy.
The Italian outfit has lost players to international duty, making the challenge even more difficult, though they are able to call upon the expertise of Hendrik Daniller and Italian veterans the Bergamasco brothers.
Zebre: 15 Hendrik Daniller, 14 Dion Berryman, 13 Mirco Bergamasco, 12 Matteo Pratichetti, 11 Giulio Toniolatti, 10 Edoardo Padovani, 9 Brendon Leonard, 1 Andrea Lovotti, 2 Oliviero Fabiani, 3 Lorenzo Romano, 4 Andrei Mahu, 5 Augustin Cavalieri, 6 Jacopo Sarto, 7 Mauro Bergamasco (c), 8 Maxime Mbandà.
Replacements: 16 Lorenzo Giovanchelli, 17 Andrea De Marchi, 18 Luca Redolfini, 19 Giacomo Bernini, 20 Ruben Riccioli, 21 Alberto Chillon, 22 Federico Ruzza, 23 David Odiete.
Dragons: 15 Geraint Rhys Jones, 14 Tom Prydie, 13 Jack Dixon, 12 Ashley Smith, 11 Hallam Amos, 19 Dorian Jones, 9 Jonathan Evans, 1 Boris Stankovich, 2 T. Rhys Thomas, 3 Brok Harris, 4 Ian Gough, 5 Cory Hill, 6 James Thomas, 7 Nic Cudd, 8 Nick Crosswell.
Replacements: 16 Rhys Buckley, 17 Lloyd Fairbrother, 28 Dan Way, 19 Matthew Screech, 20 James Benjamin, 21 Luc Jones, 22 Matthew Pewtner, 23 Ashton Hewitt.
