HEAD coach Bernard Jackman is relishing the chance to finally see "game-changer" Rhodri Davies in action when the scrum-half makes his Dragons debut off the bench in Romania, writes Chris Kirwan.

The livewire half-back will back-up Tavis Knoyle in the European Challenge Cup opener against Timisoara Saracens today (kick-off 12.30pm).

The 26-year-old arrived from Rotherham this summer but the former Wales sevens international has had to wait for a debut after suffering a back injury in the pre-season loss to Northampton.

Davies, from Crymych in Pembrokeshire, made his return for the Dragons A team in the Celtic Cup and is now ready to push for Guinness PRO14 action.

Fellow new recruit Rhodri Williams and the abrasive Knoyle have shared the duties so far but Jackman believes Davies provides something different.

"We really liked what we saw of Rhodri in pre-season and then he got that niggle," said the head coach. "This is an ideal opportunity to reintegrate him.

"He is a game-changer, he is incredibly quick and powerful. He will give us impact as an ex-7s international.

"Rhodri scored a lot of tries for Rotherham and will come on and increase the tempo. He is really dangerous around the breakdown and it's important to have a 9 who can snipe, particularly late in the game, so I am really excited to see him play."

Davies is joined in the matchday squad by fellow new boy Rhys Lawrence, who arrived from Ealing Trailfinders.

The 30-year-old former Scarlet will make his bow from the bench in the absence of former Wales and Lions hooker Richard Hibbard, who has been nursing a knee injury.

Lawrence has also been in action in the Celtic Cup and Jackman, himself a former hooker, is pleased to have a seasoned campaigner as another option to Hibbard and first-choice Elliot Dee.

"Rhys has been with two young props, Chris Coleman and Josh Reynolds, and has done a good job in helping them," said the former Ireland international.

"He has done well and deserves a crack; the beauty of the Celtic Cup is that he has been able to get game time in his legs.

"Rhys gives us experience. Last year, because Rhys Buckley was injured, when Elliot wasn't there it was Liam Belcher and Ellis Shipp, younger men.

"At hooker it's nice to have someone has been around the block and is composed at the set piece."

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