Hallam Amos returns to Dragons XV for Ulster clash
Hallam Amos of Dragons during the Guinness PRO14 match between Connacht Rugby and Dragons at the Sportsground in Galway, Ireland on November 3, 2018 (Photo by Andrew Surma/NurPhoto/Sipa USA)
Wales wing Hallam Amos returns to the starting line-up for the Dragons as they face Ulster at Rodney Parade on Sunday in the PRO14.
Amos is one of nine changes as Dragons head coach Ceri Jones looks to secure a victory in the final game of the season in Newport.
A new-look back-line sees Josh Lewis return at fly-half while Jordan Williams is named at full-back and Dafydd Howells will play on the wing. The midfield will see Jarryd Sage and Adam Warren join forces.
Three changes in the pack see call-ups for lock Joe Davies and back-row duo Taine Basham and Huw Taylor. Harri Keddie moves to number eight.
A changed bench includes Leon Brown, after his release from the Welsh national squad, while Josh Reynolds, Lennon Greggains and Max Williams and fit-again Tavis Knoyle are all named.
For Ulster, back-row forward Sean Reidy was due to earn his 100th cap for the province in this encounter, but was forced to pull out, with Clive Ross taking his place
Ross will be joined in the back-row by Nick Timoney and Jordi Murphy, who is one of just three changes from the side that secured a 54-7 bonus-point win versus Zebre last week.
The other two changes to the starting XV are at half-back, with Murphy’s international team-mate scrum-half John Cooney also released from Ireland duty, while Billy Burns returns to start at fly-half.
Alan O’Connor will continue to captain the side from the second-row, where he is once again paired with Kieran Treadwell. Rob Herring, who scored three tries in a man of the match performance last weekend, retains his place at hooker, with props Eric O’Sullivan and Marty Moore completing the front five.
The familiar duo of Stuart McCloskey and Darren Cave combine in midfield, while Rob Lyttle, Robert Baloucoune and Louis Ludik will provide a mixture of flair, raw pace and composure in the back three.
On the bench, Andrew Warwick, John Andrew, Wiehahn Herbst, Ian Nagle and Matthew Rea will cover the forward options, with David Shanahan, James Hume and Peter Nelson providing the backline cover.
The teams:
Dragons: 15 Jordan Williams, 14 Hallam Amos, 13 Adam Warren, 12 Jarryd Sage, 11 Dafydd Howells, 10 Josh Lewis, 9 Rhodri Williams, 8 Harri Keddie, 7 Taine Basham, 6 Huw Taylor, 5 Matthew Screech, 4 Joe Davies, 3 Lloyd Fairbrother, 2 Richard Hibbard (c), 1 Brok Harris
Replacements: 16 Rhys Lawrence, 17 Josh Reynolds, 18 Leon Brown, 19 Max Williams, 20 Lennon Greggains, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 Jason Tovey, 23 Tyler Morgan
Ulster: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Rob Lyttle, 10 Billy Burns, 9 John Cooney, 8 Nick Timoney, 7 Jordi Murphy, 6 Clive Ross, 5 Kieran Treadwell, 4 Alan O’Connor (c), 3 Marty Moore, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Eric O’Sullivan
Replacements: 16 Andrew Warwick, 17 John Andrew, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Ian Nagle, 20 Matthew Rea, 21 David Shanahan, 22 James Hume, 23 Peter Nelson
Venue: Rodney Parade
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Referee: Stuart Berry (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Dan Jones (Wales), Gareth John (Wales)
TMO: Sean Brickell (Wales)