Dragons call in internationals to face Sharks
THE cavalry return for the Dragons in the shape of Ross Moriarty, Will Rowlands and Leon Brown for the United Rugby Championship clash with Cell C Sharks tonight (6.30pm UK time).
All three Wales internationals start for Dean Ryan’s side as they look to end their South Africa tour on a positive note.
Brown did appear off the bench against the Bulls last weekend, but now he returns at No.3 in the run-on side in Durban.
Moriarty features at No.8 with Rowlands packing down at lock. Taine Basham is named among the replacements as the combative Ben Fry, who fronted up impressively against the Bulls, continues at openside.
There are nine changes in all from the team that lost 55-20 in Pretoria.
As well as Moriarty, Rowlands and
Brown, Ryan drafts Joe Davies and Greg Bateman into his starting lineup.
Rhodri Williams and Josh Lewis take over at half-back, Jordan Olowofela starts on the wing and Ioan Davies comes in for only his second start of the season.
Lewis will be making his 50th
Dragons appearance, while Rowlands will be looking to build on strong form in the Six Nations which saw him acclaimed as Wales’ bestperforming player.
The Dragons haven’t won since October, a run spanning 11 games, and, even though the Sharks lost at home to Edinburgh last weekend, director of rugby Ryan is still expecting a stern test.
“Sharks have a huge set-piece, huge driving line-out, huge midfield and huge kicking game,” said Ryan.
“Things that we had challenges with last week will be challenges again this week. We must work out how we can be smart and how we can impose ourselves within the game.
“It’s been great to have the Wales internationals join us in camp,” he added. “Some have had game time and come ready, others haven’t, so it’s about integrating them back in.”
Cell C Sharks: Anthony Volmink, Werner Kok, Ben Tapuai, Jeremy Ward, Makazole Mapimpi, Curwin Bosch, Jaden Hendrikse, Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Thomas du Toit (cT), Le Roux Roets, Gerbrandt Grobler, James Venter, Jeandre Labuschagne, Phepsi Buthelezi, Reps: Kerron van Vuuren, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Khutha Mchunu, Reniel Hugo, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Siya Kolisi, Grant Williams, Boeta Chamberlain
Dragons: Ioan Davies, Jared Rosser, Adam Warren, Jack Dixon, Jordan Olowofela, Josh Lewis, Rhodri Williams; Greg Bateman, Elliot Dee, Leon Brown, Joe Davies, Will Rowlands, Harri Keddie (c), Ben Fry, Ross Moriarty. Reps: Taylor Davies, Aki Seiuli, Mesake Doge, Huw Taylor, Taine Basham, Lewis Jones, Will Reed, Jordan Williams.
Referee: Ben Blain (Scotland).