Dragons down to bare bones in back row for Glasgow URC clash

The Rodney Parade club return to action in Six Nations rest week against the Warriors at Scotstoun on Saturday (kick-off 7.35pm).

They are without Wales back rowers Aaron Wainwright and Taine Basham because of Six Nations duty plus they have a lengthy injury list.

Ryan Woodman suffered a season-ending thumb injury against the Sharks last time out while Ollie Griffiths went off at half-time because of concussion and is still not ready.

Harri Keddie and George Nott remained sidelined with elbow and shoulder injuries respectively, leaving head coach Dai Flanagan with few options.

BACK: Dan Lydiate is in line to return for the Dragons at Glasgow (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Dan Lydiate (rib and back) and Sean Lonsdale (concussion) could return while George Young looks set to make his first start of the season after four cameos off the bench.

Flanagan said: “Our back row has been a bit battered but that will give exposure to some young back rowers, and maybe another hooker playing in the back row!

“We have a decent injury list but that brings opportunity and exposure. I can’t wait to see us go out there and fight for each other.”

Flanker-turned-hooker James Benjamin had to return to his former position off the bench against Cardiff and as a starter at Munster in the autumn, with Bradley Roberts and Brodie Coghlan the other 2s in the squad while Elliot Dee is on Six Nations duty.

Prop Leon Brown remains with Wales as he rehabilitates a shoulder injury suffered against Scotland and that means the Dragons are inexperienced at tighthead.

Fairbrother missed the European Challenge Cup defeats to Zebre Parma and the Sharks because of a calf strain and Flanagan has revealed that he is a month into a four-month absence.

The 32-year-old, who was called up by Wales for the uncapped fixture against the Barbarians in November, will target a return in the run-in and that leaves Luke Yendle, Chris Coleman and Nathan Evans as the tighthead options.

The Dragons have received a boost with the return of Angus O’Brien from a broken arm suffered at Munster in November.

The fly-half/full-back is poised to get game time in Glasgow and will push Will Reed for the 10 jersey.

RELEASED: Wales back Cai Evans has linked up with the Dragons to get game time (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Cai Evans has been released by Wales for game time after an extremely brief cameo against England last weekend.

The 24-year-old was signed from the Ospreys as a full-back who can help out at fly-half and that remains the case despite being on the bench at Twickenham as cover at 10.

“I just love having Cai on the field, he’s a top-end full-back and a very good 10,” said Flanagan.

“I firmly believe the future for Cai, to really get the maximum out of his career, is at full-back but there's no reason he couldn't do it at 10 if needs be.”

The Dragons, who are also without centre Harri Ackerman while he captains Wales in the U20 Six Nations, name their team at midday.

They are one point ahead of the Sharks at the bottom of the URC while Glasgow are third and humiliated the Rodney Parade club 73-33 in the Challenge Cup last season.