Babos makes history as he lines up for Dragons’ debut

TEENAGE scrum-half Dan Babos will make Guinness PRO14 history when he runs out for the Dragons against Ulster at Rodney Parade tonight (7.35pm).

In doing so the 17-year-old No.9 will become the first player born this millennium to start a PRO14 game having come off the bench in last week’s loss to Leinster in Dublin.

He is set to partner Gavin Henson at half-back and the age gap between the duo is illustrated by the fact Babos was just six months old when the maverick outsidehalf made his debut for Swansea against Caerphilly in September, 2000.

Babos is one of three changes to the side that lost 54-10 at the RDS.

Brok Harris returns to the front row, from the bench, and is joined by hooker Liam Belcher who makes his first PRO14 start in a Dragons jersey.

The second row sees Joe Davies, who recently signed an extension with the region, named with fellow lock Matthew Screech and the back-row remains unchanged as Ollie Griffiths captains the side.

Ulster head to Wales with a galaxy of stars in the backs including New Zealander Charles Piutau, Wallabies ace Christian Lealiifano plus and Ireland internationals Stuart McCloskey, Tommy Bowe and Craig Gilroy.

Their bench also has a formidable look about it with Ireland skipper Rory Best, Test wing Andrew Trimble and flanker Chris Henry all featuring among the replacements. Dragons: A O’Brien; A Hewitt, A Warren, J Dixon, J Rosser; G Henson, D Babos; B Harris, L Belcher, L Fairbrother, J Davies, M Screech, A Wainwright, O Griffiths (capt), J Benjamin. Reps: E Shipp, G Ellis, S Hobbs, R Landman, B Roach, C Davies, A Robson, P Howard.