Regions handed PRO14 boost byWales stars
WALES internationals Hallam Amos, Tyler Morgan and Leon Brown return to action tonight when the Dragons take on high-flying Glasgow Warriors in the Guinness PRO14 at Rodney Parade (7.35pm).
Amos, who was released from Six Nations duty this week, as well as having Morgan make his first start for the Men of Gwent after making his return from injury last weekend off the bench.
Brown is set to return following three months on the sidelines due to concussion picked up in Wales’ autumn internationals. He is on the bench alongside Gavin Henson and Sarel Pretorius.
Dragons defence coach Hendre Marnitz said: “It’s always good to have your international players back. We all know that Tyler is a special player with loads of X-factor. “It’s good to have him back and the club to have a very competitive environment. Suddenly there are a lot of players competing for a couple of positions, which lifts training and the environment.”
Meanwhile, The Ospreys name Wales international Rhodri Jones at loose-head prop for the Guinness PRO14 clash with Connacht in Galway tonight (7.35pm), with Nicky Smith on the bench.
Jones has largely been considered at tight-head by Wales and at regional level, having switched across earlier in his career.
But he has made a mark at No.1 in the Anglo-Welsh Cup over the past fortnight and the Ospreys give him another chance in the role.
“Rhodri is a tremendous athlete and a tremendous rugby player,” said interim head coach Allen Clarke.
“He’s sees himself as a rugby player who’s a prop who can play both sides. Right now we have injuries on one side of the scrum compared to the other.”
Rob McCusker leads the side on his 100th championship appearance. Dragons (v Glasgow, h): H Amos; A Warren, T Morgan, J Dixon, J Rosser; Z Kirchner, D Babos; S Hobbs, L Belcher, L Fairbrother, J Davies, R Landman, A Wainwright, J Benjamin, H Keddie (capt). Reps: E Shipp, G Ellis, L Brown, H Williams, L Greggains, S Pretorius, G Henson, J Sage. Ospreys (v Connacht, a): D Evans; H Dirksen, K Fonotia, A Beck, D Howells; S Davies, T Habberfield; R Jones, S Otten, D Arhip, L Ashley, J King, O Cracknell, R McCusker (capt), W Jones. Reps: S Parry, N Smith, M Fia, G Mercer, S Cross, R Morgan-Williams, L Price, J Thomas.