Henson earns fly-half vote in opening clash
GAVIN Henson has been handed the keys to No.10 as the Dragons look to kick-start their bold new era with victory over Benetton at Rodney Parade tonight (7.35pm).
The 36-year-old double Grand Slam winner produced an eye-catching cameo in the warm-up defeat in Gloucester last week and gets the nod to play at fly-half ahead of Josh Lewis.
Henson’s last appearance in the Guinness PRO14 was the Boxing Day defeat to the Blues, but he has overcome his injury issues and adds some crucial experience to an exciting Dragons back division.
He partners summer signing Rhodri Williams at half-back, while Jordan Williams and Dafydd Howells are also included in a backline that boasts Wales internationals Hallam Amos and Tyler Morgan.
Up front, Richard Hibbard is preferred to Wales summer tourist Elliot Dee at hooker, while the fit-again Ollie Griffiths makes a welcome return at No. 8 alongside the experienced Lewis Evans, who will make his 150th PRO14 appearance.
Wales lock Cory Hill skippers a side containing 12 internationals, among them his second-row partner Brandon Nansen, one of six debutants in the side.
“Everyone is excited about the opening day and we want to hit the ground running with a new-look team,” said Jackman.
“We have a quality side out, but we know that Benetton Rugby are flying high on the back of a successful season last year.”
J. Williams; D. Howells, T. Morgan, J. Dixon, H. Amos; G. Henson, R. Williams; R. Bevington, R. Hibbard, L. Brown, B. Nansen, C. Hill (capt), L. Evans, O. Griffiths, A. Wainwright. Reps: E. Dee, B. Harris, L. Fairbrother, M. Screech, H. Taylor, T. Knoyle, J. Lewis, A. Warren.
J. Hayward; R. Tavuyara, T. Benvenuti, A. Sgarbi, M. Ioane; T. Allan, T. Tebaldi; F. Zani, H. Faiva, T. Pasquali, A. Zanni, D. Budd (capt), A. Steyn, M. Barbini, S. Negri. Reps: E. Makelara, D. Appiah, S. Ferrari, M. Fuser, F. Ruzza, M. Lazzaroni, G. Bronzini, T. Iannone.
George Clancy (Ireland)
Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac has handed four of his summer arrivals competitive debuts for tonight’s Guinness PRO14 opener against Ulster (5.15pm).
South African full-back Clayton Blommetjies, former Ospreys centre Kieron Fonotia, Scotland scrum-half Sam Hidalgo-Clyne and Kiwi backrower Blade Thomson all start at the Kingspan Stadium as last year’s beaten finalists look to launch their 2018-19 challenge in style.