Amos out to impressWales with Dragons form
WALES back Hallam Amos has been given the chance to back up his man of the match performance against Glasgow last week as he bids to impress selectors, writes Matthew Southcombe.
Amos, who starts at full-back for the Dragons against Benetton tomorrow (3.30pm), has been released by Wales for the second week running for what will be his second game back after injuring his ankle on Boxing Day.
With competition for places in the Welsh back three hotting up, he’ll be keen to continue his form and help Bernard Jackman’s men to a muchneeded win in the PRO14.
The Rodney Parade outfit haven’t won a game in the league since September – a run that includes seven losses and two draws – and Jackman is expecting another tough examination this weekend.
“Benetton will come over with plenty of confidence behind them having won seven of their fourteen matches so far and having put in some excellent displays in their European Rugby Champions Cup group,” he said.
“Traditionally it was more advantageous to play the Italian and Scottish teams during the international windows but we are now seeing the increased strength in depth in both countries playing resources and we know that we will have to put in our strongest performance of the season to get the win.”
Elsewhere, 18-year-old speedster makes his PRO14 debut in a back three that is completed by Jared Rosser.
In the absence of Tyler Morgan, Adam Warren partners the industrious Jack Dixon in midfield and Zane Kirchner continues at fly-half with Gavin Henson sidelined with a minor leg injury.
There’s better injury news in the back row, where Lewis Evans returns to No.8 to make his first appearance since tearing his pectoral muscle against the Ospreys in October.
The tight five is unchanged from the Glasgow draw and Harrison Keddie continues to captain the side as he moves to blindside flanker.
Benetton arrive in South Wales buoyed by their victory over the Scarlets last weekend and chasing their fifth consecutive win in the league.
Former Leinster fly-half Ian McKinley starts in the No.15 jersey with the dangerous Monty Ioane – fresh from scoring a hat-trick against the defending champions – on the wing. Dragons: Hallam Amos; Rio Dyer, Adam Warren, Jack Dixon, Jared Rosser; Zane Kirchner, Dan Babos; Sam Hobbs, Liam Belcher, Lloyd Fairbrother; Joe Davies, Rynard Landman; Harri Keddie, Aaron Wainwright, Lewis Evans. Reps: Ellis Shipp, Gerard Ellis, Leon Brown, Henri Williams, Lennon Greggains, Sarel Pretorius, Arwel Robson, Connor Edwards. Benetton: Ian McKinley; Luca Sperandio, Tommaso Iannone, Luca Morisi, Monty Ioane; Marty Banks, Tito Tebaldi; Matteo Zanusso, Tomas Baravalle, Tiziano Pasquali; Marco Lazzaroni, Irné Hebst; Alberto Sgarbi (C), Marco Barbini, Whetu Douglas. Reps: Hame Faiva, Federico Zani, Cherif Traore, Marco Fuser, Francesco Minto, Giorgio Bronzini, Marco Zanon, Andrea Bronzini.