Preview: Dragons v Glasgow

Dragons Head Coach Paul Turner has made eight changes to the team that faced Edinburgh for their Magners League clash with Glasgow Warriors at Rodney Parade on Sunday.

Dragons head Coach Paul Turner has made eight changes to the team that faced Edinburgh for their Magners League clash with Glasgow Warriors at Rodney Parade on Sunday.

Gareth Wyatt replaces Martyn Thomas on the wing and Aled Thomas comes in for the injured Ceri Sweeney at fly-half. Both Thomas and Sweeney were injured in the Magners League game against Edinburgh.

In the front row there is a change at loosehead prop as a recurring back injury keeps Hugh Gustafson out and Adam Black returns, pending a fitness test on the weekend. Also Rhys Thomas returns from international duty to replace tighthead prop Lee Harrison.

There are four changes to the back five, with Adam Jones and Luke Charteris replacing Andy Hall and Peter Sidoli respectively. Jamie Ringer and captain Colin Charvis return and Michael Owen moves to the bench. Richard Parks' incurred an injury against Edinburgh.

The Dragons secured a hard fought win when the two teams last clashed in the Magners League on 4 January in Glasgow.

“Training has been going well and we've prepared for Glasgow, which kicks off our next block of games, with the view that we need to climb up in the Magners League,” Turner commented.

“The break in the season has meant that long-term injured players have recovered and we were able to select from our largest squad of fit players in a long time this week.

“It's allowed competition and intensity to be created in training and we hope this will boost our performance against Glasgow.”

Colin Charvis returns from injury to captain the side on Sunday.

“I'm looking forward to getting back out there with the team against Glasgow. While there's been a break in the amount of games we've had, the team have really gelled over the last few weeks and feel well prepared for the weekend,” said Charvis.

Sam Pinder will start at scrum-half for Glasgow, and in doing so will make his 100th appearance for the region.

“Sam has been part of the Glasgow squad for some time now and he is an integral part of this club,” said Glasgow Head Coach Sean Lineen.

“His attitude and work ethic are exemplary and I am pleased to see him reach such a landmark game this weekend.”

Pinder will link up with Scotland fly-half Dan Parks who returns to club duty, along with John Barclay and Kelly Brown who both feature in the back row alongside Johnnie Beattie.

Form: TheDragons have not won a game since their 18-16 victory at Glasgow in the Magners League on 4 January, whilst the Dragons have won just once at Rodney Parade in all competitions since October. Glasgow's only win in their last six encounters in the Magners League was 9-6 at home to the Ospreys on 29 February. Glasgow are winless away from home in the Magners League this season, and have not won in Wales since a 57-30 victory at Stradey Park in April 2005. In nine previous encounters between the two sides Glasgow have won just once: 48-20 at Hughenden in March 2004.

The Teams:

Dragons: 15 Kevin Morgan, 14 Gareth Wyatt, 13 Rhodri Gomer Davies, 12 Ashley Smith, 11 Richard Fussell, 10 Aled Thomas, 9 Andy Williams, 8 Colin Charvis (c), 7 Jamie Ringer, 6 Joe Bearman, 5 Luke Charteris, 4 Adam Jones, 3 Rhys Thomas, 2 Steve Jones, 1 Adam Black/ Dai Pattison.
Replacements: 16 Ben Daly, 17 Gethin Robinson, 18 Peter Sidoli, 19 Michael Owen, 20 Paul Emerick, 21 Martyn Thomas, 22 Wayne Evans.

Glasgow: 15 Bernardo Stortoni, 14 Thom Evans, 13 Graeme Morrison, 12 Daryl Gibson, 11 Max Evans, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Sam Pinder, 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 John Barclay, 6 Kelly Brown, 5 Dan Turner, 4 Opeta Palepoi, 3 Moray Low, 2 Dougie Hall, 1 Justin Va'a.
Replacements: 16 Fergus Thomson, 17 Kevin Tkachuk, 18 James Eddie, 19 Donnie Macfadyen, 20 Colin Gregor, 21 Scott Barrow, 22 Hefin O'Hare.

Date: Sunday, March 30
Venue: Rodney Parade
Kick-off: 16:05 GMT
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Touch judges: David Bodilly (Wales), David Williams (Wales)
Television match official: Gareth Simmonds (Wales)