Dragons duo to make first starts against Benetton

David Skippers

Jacob Botica and Josh Reynolds are both handed their first starts in the PRO14 as Dragons face Benetton at Rodney Parade on Friday in this rearranged contest.

Reynolds starts at loosehead prop – with Aaron Jarvis ruled out by injury – as Dragons director of rugby Dean Ryan makes just two changes to the starting line-up that defeated the Cheetahs.

Fly-half Botica will make his 10th appearance this season, but first start in the league, as he comes in for Sam Davies, who was unavailable for selection due to training commitments with Wales.

Wales hooker Elliot Dee returns from international camp to be named among the replacements.

Scrum-half Luke Baldwin, Arwel Robson and Connor Edwards are also called into the matchday squad.

Prop Conor Maguire, who has joined on a short-term trial, could also make his debut for Dragons from the bench.

Meanwhile, Benetton boss Kieran Crowley has made several changes to the XV that will face the Dragons, taking into account the absence of players through international duty and injury.

The back three is made up of Luca Sperandio at full-back, while the wings will be Angelo Esposito and Monty Ioane. Ignacio Brex and Marco Zanon form the midfield partnership, with Ian Keatley, captain for the second consecutive time, joined by Charly Trussardi at half-back.

Up front, Nicola Quaglio and Filippo Alongi take their place at prop, with Tomas Baravalle starting at hooker. In the engine room, there is an all-South African pairing comprised of Irné Herbst and Eli Snyman.

The pack is completed by flankers Michele Lamaro – his second appearance after returning from injury – Federico Ruzza and number eight Toa Halafihi.

The teams:

Dragons: 15 Will Talbot-Davies, 14 Jared Rosser, 13 Adam Warren, 12 Jack Dixon, 11 Ashton Hewitt, 10 Jacob Botica, 9 Rhodri Williams (c), 8 Taine Basham, 7 Ollie Griffiths 6 Harrison Keddie, 5 Matthew Screech, 4 Joe Davies, 3 Lloyd Fairbrother, 2 Ellis Shipp, 1 Josh Reynolds
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Conor Maguire, 18 Chris Coleman, 19 Brandon Nansen, 20 Lewis Evans, 21 Luke Baldwin, 22 Arwel Robson, 23 Connor Edwards

Benetton: 15 Luca Sperandio, 14 Angelo Esposito, 13 Ignacio Brex, 12 Marco Zanon, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Ian Keatley (c), 9 Charly Trussardi, 8 Toa Halafihi, 7 Federico Ruzza, 6 Michele Lamaro, 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Irné Herbst, 3 Filippo Alongi, 2 Tomas Baravalle, 1 Nicola Quaglio
Replacements: 16 Hame Faiva, 17 Federico Zani, 18 Giuseppe Di Stefano, 19 Marco Fuser, 20 Giovanni Pettinelli, 21 Luca Petrozzi, 22 Ian McKinley, 23 Joaquin Riera

Date: Friday, March 6
Venue: Rodney Parade
Kick-off: 19:35 GMT
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Ben Whitehouse (Wales), Joy Neville (Ireland)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)

Benetton Treviso