Dragons turn to old heads (From Campaign Series)

Dragons turn to old heads

12:36pm Friday 22nd February 2013 in Sport

ZEBRE v DRAGONS (Tomorrow, KO 2.05)

NEWPORT Gwent Dragons coach Darren Edwards has backed his experienced players by selecting Adam Hughes, Ashley Smith, Wayne Evans and Phil Price to start against Zebre.

Centre Hughes changes roles and tackles the challenge on the wing, with Hallam Amos switching from full back to the other wing.

Meanwhile Ashley Smith (centre), Wayne Evans (scrum half) and Phil Price (loosehead prop) all take their primary positions.

The Dragons will try out a different centre pairing with Pat Leach and Smith who last played side by side against Mogliano when the region smashed the Italian side at Rodney Parade 53-3.

Edwards has also made a change in the front row with Price at loosehead prop, but has kept second rows Adam Jones and Ian Nimmo.

Price, who will make his 14th start this season for the regional side, said: "We know what they (Zebre) are about and we played them at the start of the season, they have improved as the season has gone on, especially up front. So we have to think of ourselves and make sure that we put a good performance in.

"‘I have come back with a more positive attitude to regain my place and try to keep it. I have worked hard this week. We have pulled tighter as a unit and we are all looking forward to the Zebre game and putting in a good performance." As for the bench, there is a welcome return from injury of Rob Sidoli who comes back after celebrating the birth of his second Daughter Emily.

He sits alongside Owen Evans, Dan Way, Jonathan Evans, Tom Prydie and Jack Dixon who have all been changed from the previous line-up.

Dragons Team to face Zebre: Dan Evans, Adam Hughes, Pat Leach, Ashley Smith, Hallam Amos, Steffan Jones, Wayne Evans, Ieuan Jones, Nic Cudd, Lewis Evans (c), Adam Jones, Ian Nimmo, Nathan Buck, Hugh Gustafson, Phil Price.

Replacements: Sam Parry, Owen Evans, Dan Way, Rob Sidoli, Jevon Groves, Jonathan Evans, Tom Prydie, Jack Dixon.