The Dragons have named six of their summer signings — including New Zealander Sio Tomkinson — in their starting line-up to face Bristol Bears at Rodney Parade on Friday evening (7pm).
Highly-rated centre Tomkinson, who has played Super Rugby for the Highlanders and represented New Zealand in the Junior World Championship in 2016, joins Angus O’Brien, JJ Hanrahan, Sean Lonsdale and Wales pair Rhodri Jones and Bradley Roberts in the run-on team for the friendly clash. You can read more about Tomkinson here.
A busy summer of recruitment has led to some hoping a new chapter could be about to unfold in Gwent.
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The certainty is rugby boss Dean Ryan will not be getting carried away. Going down that road isn't his style.
Nonetheless, there is a fresh look about proceedings out east. Tompkinson teams up with Jack Dixon in midfield, while fly-half Hanrahan links with Rhodri Williams at half-back. Loosehead Jones and hooker Roberts are accompanied in the front row by Chris Coleman, while Lonsdale figures at lock alongside Huw Taylor. Harrison Keddie leads the side from blindside flanker, with Lennon Greggains starting at openside.
Three more new faces, George Nott, Rob Evans and Max Clark, are named on the bench along with Wales internationals Ross Moriarty and Elliot Dee.
Dragons: Angus O’Brien; Rio Dyer, Sio Tomkinson, Jack Dixon, Jared Rosser; JJ Hanrahan, Rhodri Williams; Rhodri Jones, Bradley Roberts, Chris Coleman, Huw Taylor, Sean Lonsdale, Harri Keddie (capt), Lennon Greggains, Ollie Griffiths.
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rob Evans, Lloyd Fairbrother, George Nott, Ross Moriarty, Lewis Jones, Will Reed, Max Clark, Jordan Williams, Josh Reynolds, James Benjamin, David Richards.
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