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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Jon Doel

Scarlets v Dragons team news as former fans' favourite faces old team

Centre Steff Hughes will start against his former club tomorrow when the Dragons face the Scarlets at the Principality Stadium (3pm).

Hughes has been a key man for the Dragons after being let go by the west Wales region last year. He is one of three changes to the team made by head coach Dai Flanagan for Judgement Day.

Sio Tomkinson is also back following suspension to partner Hughes in midfield, while the only change to the pack is a recall for Lloyd Fairbrother.

As for the Scarlets, Dwayne Peel has made six changes to their starting line-up following the loss in Glasgow as Scarlets look to finish their Championship campaign on a high, a week before the Warriors arrive in Llanelli for the Challenge Cup semi-final.

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Midfield duo Joe Roberts and Johnny Williams returning to the starting XV, while Sam Costelow is back in the No. 10 jersey after sitting out the trip to Scotstoun.

There is a new front row of Kemsley Mathias, Ken Owens and Javan Sebastian. Vaea Fifita and Morgan Jones again link up in the second row. The back row of Iwan Shenton, captain Josh Macleod and Carwyn Tuipulotu is the same as the one that took the field last weekend.

Wales international Johnny McNicholl has recovered from the knee injury he suffered in Cork last month to take his place on the bench, while Wales and British & Irish Lions scrum-half Gareth Davies is also back in the match-day 23.

Peel said: “We are excited to be playing at the stadium and it is a Welsh derby so a lot of pride to play for in that respect. We have approached this like we do every other game, we appreciate we have a big game the week after, but we haven’t taken our eye off this game. The boys are looking forward to it.”

Dragons boss Dai Flanagan said:“It’s a tough game for us to finish with but a challenge we are excited about facing.

“Scarlets have really turned a corner since they beat us. They found a way to win games, are exciting to watch and have a good brand.

“They get their best players on the ball and pose threats all over the field.

“There are bragging rights up for grabs when you play each other and my experience here is that Gwent boys get excited by derbies. We’re looking forward to the day and finishing the season strongly.”

Scarlets: 15 Tom Rogers; 14 Steff Evans, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Ryan Conbeer; 10 Sam Costelow 9 Kieran Hardy; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Ken Owens, 3 Javan Sebastian, 4 Vaea Fifita, 5 Morgan Jones, 6 Iwan Shenton, 7 Josh Macleod (capt), 8 Carwyn Tuipulotu.

Replacements: 16 Daf Hughes, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Iestyn Rees, 20 Shaun Evans, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Dan Jones, 23 Johnny McNicholl.

Dragons RFC: Jordan Williams, Rio Dyer, Sio Tomkinson, Steff Hughes, Ashton Hewitt, Angus O’Brien, Rhodri Williams (capt); Rhodri Jones, Elliot Dee, Lloyd Fairbrother, Ben Carter, Matthew Screech, George Nott, Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright

Replacements: Bradley Roberts, Rob Evans, Chris Coleman, Huw Taylor, Sean Lonsdale, Lewis Jones, Will Reed, Aneurin Owen

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