Griffiths to make Dragons debut

CENTRE Tom Griffiths will make his debut for Dragons as the European Challenge Cup season starts with a home clash against Castres Olympique at Rodney Parade today (3pm).

Griffiths, a summer recruit from Saracens, has made a full recovery from an ankle injury to be given his first appearance for Dean Ryan’s men.

Dragons make a total of eight changes from the team that faced Edinburgh last week for the Pool 1 opener, with hooker Richard Hibbard captaining the team.

Fit-again prop Aaron Jarvis will make his first appearance since January while Max Williams and James Benjamin earn call-ups in the pack.

Lock Joe Davies will make his 50th appearance for Dragons in the second row.

Griffiths will partner Tyler Morgan in midfield while the final change to the starting line-up is a first start for on-loan scrum half Luke Baldwin.

Academy product Ben Fry could make a first senior appearance of the season from the bench, where he is joined by the recalled Rhys Lawrence, Tavis Knoyle and Jacob Botica.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge and starting this tournament,” said forwards coach Ceri Jones.

“We know we will have to front up, physically dominate in certain areas, but also be able to go out and expand our game and play. We think that will suit us.

“Castres have had a hard start to the new Top14 season,” he added. “But we are preparing for them coming fully loaded and it’s going to be a big challenge because they are big men.

“In front of our own fans against a strong French team, it’s a big occasion for us and one we intend to embrace.” Dragons: W Talbot-Davies; D Howells, T Morgan, T Griffiths, O Jenkins; S Davies, L Baldwin; A Jarvis, R Hibbard (c), L Brown, J Davies, M Williams, H Taylor, J Benjamin, T Basham. Reps: R Lawrence, B Harris, L Fairbrother, M Screech, B Fry, T Knoyle, J Botica,J Dixon.