Dragons wing Hewitt reaches century mark
ASHTON Hewitt will make his 100th appearance for Dragons when he lines up in the Guinness PRO14 clash with Ospreys at the Brewery Field tonight (7.35pm).
Hewitt, who made his regional debut back in 2013, hits the milestone as Dragons aim to return to winning ways in Bridgend.
Director of Dragons Rugby, Dean Ryan, makes a total of five changes to the side that faced Zebre last weekend.
Wales international Aaron Wainwright has been released from the squad to play in the back row alongside Ross Moriarty and Harrison Keddie, who captains from openside.
Prop Brok Harris is back up front, while lock Joe Davies is recalled to partner Joe Maksymiw in the second row.
Jamie Roberts is named at inside centre, alongside Aneurin Owen, while the final change is a start for Josh Lewis at full-back.
Richard Hibbard, Aaron Jarvis and Dan Baker could all face their former region after being named among the replacements.
“We’re looking forward to a derby game and are eager to produce a better performance after last weekend,” said Ryan.
“Derby games always create a bit more emotion, a little more clarity and we hope that we can give a better representation of ourselves.
“It’s a new environment for us down at Bridgend and a challenge we should relish rather than have any concerns about.
“We’re excited about the game and what we can produce.”
Ospreys have their own returning Wales squad member in Owen Watkin, who is named on the bench, with Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler and Keiran Williams as the centre pairing.
Wing Keelan Giles will make his 50th appearance for the region.
“It’s a nice achievement for me and my family, but one I’ve been waiting for for a while. I think the recovery this time was more challenging than last time but now I feel totally fine,” he said.
“It’s tough, but the physios’ support is a massive help, though it was a bit tougher with Covid (restrictions) and social distancing.
“I’m just concentrating on getting my starting spot with the Ospreys, I want to get a run of games, (a Wales place) is a goal I want to achieve but hopefully that’ll come in the future.”
Ospreys head coach Toby Booth is satisfied with his squad’s progress this season, after he took over a struggling side in summer 2020.
“If you look at the base-line of where we’ve come from to where we are now, the progress has been good. If we perform exceptionally well then it takes us a step closer to Champions Cup rugby which is important for the group and supporters,” he told BBC Wales.
Ospreys: D Evans; H Dirksen, T Thomas-Wheeler, K Williams, K Giles; S Myler, R Webb (capt); N Smith, S Parry, T Botha, L Ashley, R Davies, W Griffiths, O Cracknell, M Morris. Reps: I Phillips, G Phillips, M Fia, G Evans, S Cross, R Morgan-Williams, O Watkin, D Cross.
Dragons: J Lewis, J Holmes, A Owen, J Roberts, A Hewitt, S Davies, G Bertranou; B Harris, E Shipp, L Fairbrother, J Davies, J Maksymiw, R Moriarty, H Keddie (c), A Wainwright. Reps: R Hibbard, J Reynolds, A Jarvis, B Carter, D Baker, R Williams, J Dixon, J Williams.
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU).