Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Mark Orders

Dragons v Zebre team news as Welsh team hand start to cup final ace in much-changed side after win over Ospreys

The Dragons hand a first start of the season to promising youngster David Richards as they head into the United Rugby Championship clash with Zebre at Rodney Parade on Saturday (5.15pm).

The Newport-based club make nine changes, one of them positional, from the starting line-up that took the field against the Ospreys.

Richards comes in on the right wing, with Angus O’Brien returning at full-back, Max Clark starting in the centre and Rhodri Williams featuring at scrum-half, while Sam Davies moves from No. 10 to fly-half.

Up front, Aki Seiuli and Elliot Dee pack down in the front row and Joe Davies and Sean Lonsdale take over at lock.

Read more: Today's rugby news as Priestland backed for Wales fly-half jersey and Welsh star 'world class' right now

Playing at full-back, Richards was named man of the match for Newport in last season’s Welsh Cup final after an outstanding display, with the Dragons having hopes that he’ll be able to prosper on the senior scene in the seasons ahead.

This weekend’s opposition may be bottom of the table, but, missing players through international call-ups and injuries, the Dragons are taking nothing for granted.

“You underestimate Zebre at your peril,” said defence Coach Simon Cross. “They will play more than any side we have played against so far this year.

“They are incredibly dangerous with ball in hand, but we can cause them problems if we get our bits right.

“We can turn the ball over in high field position and give a quality attack the chance to put some points on the board.

“We know what we must do defensively because Zebre are lethal from all over the field with an incredibly dangerous back three. It’s a game we are all looking forward to.”

Dragons RFC: Angus O’Brien, David Richards, Steff Hughes, Max Clark, Jared Rosser, Sam Davies, Rhodri Williams; Aki Seiuli, Elliot Dee, Lloyd Fairbrother, Joe Davies, Sean Lonsdale, Aaron Wainwright, Harrison Keddie (c), Ross Moriarty

Replacements: James Benjamin, Rob Evans, Chris Coleman, Huw Taylor, Ben Fry, Gonzalo Bertranou, JJ Hanrahan, Aneurin Owen.

READ MORE:

The iconic Welsh rugby club that was under serious threat celebrates huge piece of history

Ospreys issue Gareth Anscombe update as Wales make call on injured fly-half

How axed Jac Morgan changed Wayne Pivac’s mind to earn Wales recall as startling performance stats are revealed

Wales make five changes for Rugby World Cup quarter-final against defending champions New Zealand

Wales sweating on Louis Rees-Zammit amid back-three crisis ahead of huge All Blacks clash

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.