Keddie returns for Lions encounter

Influential back row Harri Keddie returns as Dragons RFC face Emirates Lions in the BKT United Rugby at Rodney Parade on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 2.30pm).

Keddie is one of four changes made by Head Coach Dai Flanagan as the Men of Gwent look to return to winning ways on home soil.

Two changes in the front row see props Rodrigo Martinez and Leon Brown, a late withdrawal last weekend through illness, recalled to the line-up.

The final change sees centre Joe Westwood named in the 13 jersey.

Loan signing Cameron Jones is named among the replacements and could make his home debut in the Round 4 clash in Newport.

Head Coach Flanagan said: “The Lions are a very, very physical, and tough team, you can see that they are united and their coach Ivan van Rooyen has done a superb job.

“They are a lot more physical than the other South African teams – they want to take you to dark places and see if you can live with it.

“I enjoy watching them play because they pick up players who you have never heard of and make them into stars.

“I am sure it has been really rewarding for them to see so many go on to play for South Africa from the Lions.

“We are back at Rodney Parade and hopefully we can continue to turn out performances like we have been – get our processes right and have good outcomes,” he added.

“There is nothing like playing in front of your own people and our attitude and how we stayed in the fight last weekend was impressive. Now we need to build on that and get better.”

Dragons RFC: Angus O’Brien, Rio Dyer, Joe Westwood, Aneurin Owen, Jared Rosser, Lloyd Evans, Rhodri Williams; Rodrigo Martinez, Brodie Coghlan, Leon Brown, Ben Carter (c), Matthew Screech, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Harri Keddie, Taine Basham

Replacements: Oli Burrows, Cameron Jones, Chris Coleman, Ryan Woodman, Dan Lydiate, Dane Blacker, Will Reed, Ewan Rosser

Unavailable (17): Harri Ackerman (leg), Dmitri Arhip (knee), Oli Andrew (hamstring), James Benjamin (knock), Steve Cummins (hand), Elliot Dee (ankle), Cai Evans (hamstring), Solomone Funaki (knee), Ollie Griffiths (unavailable), Ashton Hewitt (knee), Che Hope (ankle), Rhodri Jones (knee), Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths (ankle), George Nott (shoulder), Josh Reynolds (leg), Aaron Wainwright (hamstring), Jordan Williams (ankle)