Welsh international Dan Baker will make his first start of the season for the Dragons as they host United Rugby Championship leaders Ulster Rugby at Rodney Parade on Sunday (2pm).
The three-times capped 29-year-old packs down at No 8 for Dean Ryan’s team amid three changes from their last outing against Benetton three weeks ago.
Prop Greg Bateman and wing Rio Dyer are the two other men to come in, while young back row George Young could make his senior debut as a replacement.
The hooking berth has been left vacant on the bench as the Dragons wait for clarification on whether Elliot Dee is available.
Dee was banned after being sent off during the draw with Benetton at the end of January, but his region are hoping Wales fixtures will count toward that, freeing him to play.
He missed out on Six Nations selection amid an ankle injury, but would have been in contention for a call-up to add to his 41 caps after proving his fitness against Benetton.
Meanwhile, fellow Welsh international hooker Bradley Roberts features on the bench for Ulster, having returned to the province from Wayne Pivac’s squad for this weekend’s game.
Giving his thoughts on the game, Dragons director of Rugby Ryan said: “It’s a huge challenge ahead of us and one we are looking forward to.
“Playing any of the Irish provinces is hard, and Ulster are probably the one that goes under the radar with the headlines of the others. But I think they are a coming force.
“They are well coached, well structured, and incredibly physical. If you can’t compete with that physicality, they’ll blow you off the field.
“What we’ve got to do is get back is being true to the game that we’re trying to play and not get sucked into the type of game that opponents want to play.”
Dragons: Josh Lewis, Jonah Holmes, Adam Warren, Aneurin Owen, Rio Dyer, Sam Davies, Gonzalo Bertranou; Greg Bateman, Taylor Davies, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, Joe Maksymiw, Harri Keddie (c), Ollie Griffiths, Dan Baker,
Reps: TBC, Aki Seiuli, Mesake Doge, Huw Taylor, George Young, Rhodri Williams, Ioan Davies, Will Talbot-Davies
Ulster: Rob Lyttle, Robert Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Ben Moxham, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak; Andrew Warwick, John Andrew, Tom O’Toole, Kieran Treadwell, Sam Carter, David McCann, Marcus Rea, Nick Timoney (capt).
Reps: Brad Roberts, Eric O’Sullivan, Marty Moore, Cormac Izuchukwu, Matty Rea, David Shanahan, Ian Madigan, Stewart Moore.
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