Evans returns as Dragons look to tame the Bulls at Rodney Parade

DRAGONS have recalled only one Wales Six Nations squad member to start when they host Bulls in the United Rugby Championship (URC) at Rodney Parade tonight (7.35pm).

Cai Evans (pictured) returns at full-back while forwards Aaron Wainwright and Elliot Dee are on the bench.

Wing Rio Dyer is rested, but Wales’ Ben Carter is back at lock after suffering a hamstring injury in November to boost Dragons.

Erstwhile Wales prop Rhodri Jones will make his 150th Dragons appearance.

George Nott is back to partner Carter in the second row with scrum-half Rhodri Williams alongside Will Reed at half-back.

Bulls are second in the United Rugby Championship table, four points behind leaders Leinster. They have won both their previous meetings with Dragons.

After losing 49-26 againts Ulster last time out, the Welsh region are 15th, only one point above bottom club Sharks.

Dragons have won just one of their last six URC games - against Scarlets on 1 January - and have not beaten a South African opponent since their 13-10 win over Cheetahs in Newport in February 2020.

“They’ve got a style of play that all 15 players buy into. They’ve got size, speed, skill set - they’re a formidable test,” said Dragons coach Dai Flanagan.

“We’ve got to match them in all aspects of the game and capitalise on opportunities, which we haven’t always done this season.

“We’re looking forward to getting back to Rodney Parade. We’ve been decent at home, have won three of the last four, and we want to put on a show and get people excited in Gwent again.”

Dragons: Cai Evans; Ewan Rosser, Joe Westwood, Steff Hughes (capt), Corey Baldwin; Will Reed, Rhodri Williams; Rhodri Jones, Brodie Coghlan, Chris Coleman, Matthew Screech, George Nott, Dan Lydiate, Sean Lonsdale, Taine Basham. Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rodrigo Martinez, Luke Yendle, Ben Carter, Harri Keddie, Aaron Wainwright, Dane Blacker, Jared Rosser.

Bulls: Willie Le Roux, Sebastian De Klerk, Canan Moodie, Harold Vorster, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Chris Smith, Zak Burger; Marcell Coetzee, Mpilo Gumede, Marco Van Staden, Ruan Nortje, Ruan Vermaak, Wilco Louw, Jan Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp

Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Simphiwe Matanzin, Mornay Smith, Reinhardt Ludwig, Nizaam Carr, Embrose Papier, Johan Goosen, Devon Williams

Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)