Griffiths returns as Dragons make 8 changes

Back row Ollie Griffiths returns as Dragons RFC face Ospreys Rugby in a BKT United Rugby Championship derby on Saturday afternoon at the Swansea.com Stadium (kick-off 1pm).

Boss Dai Flanagan makes eight changes to his starting line-up with fit-again Griffiths back in the side at Number Eight.

Hooker Elliot Dee and Lloyd Fairbrother are recalled and pack down with former Osprey Rhodri Jones up front.

A new-look second row pairing sees Sean Lonsdale and George Nott combine. Ben Carter misses the game with a hand injury.

Harri Keddie is the other new face in the forwards as he captains the team from openside. Ross Moriarty moves across the back row to play blindside.

The final changes are a return for Sio Tomkinson in the outside centre jersey while Jordan Williams plays on the wing. Jared Rosser misses the game through injury.

Bradley Roberts and Aaron Wainwright return from Six Nations duty with Wales to take a place among the replacements.

Lock Huw Taylor could also make his 50th appearance for Dragons RFC if he features from the bench in Swansea.

“It’s exciting to be back playing after a stop-start spell, and the fact it is a derby has put a spring in everyone’s step this week,” said Flanagan.

“There is also a bit of edge because the Ospreys put a lot of points on us down there at the end of last season.

“Playing at Rodney Parade is easy for us. We get ourselves up for the game well and we have represented ourselves well at home.

“But we need to make sure we do it on the road and look to avenge what happened last season.”

Dragons RFC: Angus O’Brien, Jordan Williams, Sio Tomkinson, Steff Hughes, Ashton Hewitt, Will Reed, Rhodri Williams; Rhodri Jones, Elliot Dee, Lloyd Fairbrother, Sean Lonsdale, George Nott, Ross Moriarty, Harrison Keddie (capt), Ollie Griffiths

Replacements: Bradley Roberts, Aki Seiuli, Chris Coleman, Huw Taylor, Aaron Wainwright, Taine Basham, Lewis Jones, Max Clark

Unavailable: Gonzalo Bertranou (foot), Ben Carter (hand), Joe Davies (knock), Jack Dixon (foot), Aneurin Owen (knee), Jared Rosser (shoulder), Will Rowlands (shoulder), David Richards (hamstring), Matthew Screech (suspension)