Biggar’s back in Wales to tame the Dragons
WALES fly-half Dan Biggar will start for Northampton Saints in their European Challenge Cup second round tie against the Dragons at Rodney Parade tonight (7.30pm).
Dragons skipper Cory Hill will make his 100th appearance for the region as head coach Bernard Jackman makes five changes to the side that beat Timisoara Saracens in Romania last week.
Other changes see young Wales international Aaron Wainwright return to form a formidable back-row with Ross Moriarty and Ollie Griffiths, will Jordan Williams, Jared Rosser and Rhodri Williams all return to the starting back division.
Tavis Knoyle, Nic Cudd and Daf Howells are all rested.
“Northampton need little introduction after we met in pre-season and I’m sure the Saints will see the game as do-or-die if they want to qualify,” said Jackman.
“Last weekend they came up against a Clermont side that have toppled all before them in the Top14. However, I watched Northampton at Bristol earlier this season and they are a quality side.”
The Saints have made seven changes to their team that lost 41-20 to Clermont Auvergne last weekend.
But Wales pivot Biggar remains at fly-half and he’ll be looking for a repeat of his last visit to Rodney Parade when he helped Northampton to a 42-10 pre-season victory.
Elsewhere, juggernaut winger Taqele Naiyaravoro starts with All Blacks prop Ben Franks also taking his place on the tight-head.
Courtney Lawes, just named in Eddie Jones’ England squad, starts in the second row but Red Rose skipper Dylan Hartley is not involved.
“Last time they had no internationals playing so their team will be significantly different,” said Northampton boss Chris Boyd.
“It’s a European fixture, they’ll want to do well and so do we. I don’t think an English side has ever gone to Wales and had an easy game.
“We’re expecting it to be a real arm wrestle, we know the crowd will get in behind them down there and we need to try and take that away early.” Dragons: Jordan Williams; Zane Kirchner, Tyler Morgan, Jarryd Sage, Jared Rosser; Josh Lewis, Rhodri Williams; Brok Harris, Elliot Dee, Leon Brown; Lewis Evans, Cory Hill (C); Aaron Wainwright, Ollie Griffiths, Ross Moriarty.
Richard Hibbard, Aaron Jarvis, Lloyd Fairbrother, Matthew Screech, Huw Taylor, Rhodri Davies, Adam Warren, Will Talbot-Davies.
Ahsee Tuala; Tom Collins, Andrew Kellaway, Piers Francis, Taqele Naiyaravoro; Dan Biggar, Alex Mitchell; Alex Waller (C), Mikey Haywood, Ben Franks; David Ribbans, Courtney Lawes; Jamie Gibson, Tom Wood, Teimana Harrison.
James Fish, Francois Van Wyk, Ehren Painter, Dom Barrow, Lewis Ludlam, Cobus Reinach, James Grayson, Luther Burrell.
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