ANDY Marinos returns to captain Newport Gwent Dragons as they defend their unbeaten home record against French champions Stade Francais tomorrow.

Marinos has started just one of the last five games after missing two games with hamstring trouble, then being a replacement in two of the next three matches.

But he is back for the first game in a crucial Heineken Cup double-header against Stade Francais and will partner Wales squad member Hal Luscombe, Steve Winn stepping down.

"This is a huge match for us, a must win game and we've got to have the captain, though there is a certain amount of rotation involved," said coach Mike Ruddock.

He has re-focused the squad this week after certain errors were made against Borders last week.

"We've got to pressurise their scrum and line-out, with Jason Forster and Jamie Ringer acting as pincers against Agustin Pichot and Diego Dominguez, especially in the weather we've got."

Another threequarter who returns to the fray is Nathan Brew, also in the Wales squad and converted from centre to wing for the Dragons.

"Nathan proved himself for Newport against Llanharan the other night and we were happy with his form," said Ruddock.

"He was outstanding against Ulster and played with a facial injury which shows how brave he is."

There is one change up front, making three in all, Ian Gough returning at lock in favour of Peter Sidoli, an about-turn from the Wales squad selection.

Gough will pack down with Michael Owen, who got two tries in his first start for the Dragons last week.

"Ian stood down last week and Michael had to be patient and wait for his chance," said Ruddock.

"Two international players can do the job against their locks, and I have always got the option of putting Peter in and dropping Michael back."

Ross Beattie and Lee Jarvis have passed fitness tests on their hamstring and back injuries. Hooker Steve Jones, who injured ribs against Ulster, is on the bench.

Stade Francais field a phenomenal line-up, including 13 internationals, with two World Cup players, wing Christophe Dominici and prop Sylvain Marconnet unable to make the starting line-up.

They boast an all-international back division from three countries led by outside half Diego Dominguez, the leading scorer in the Heineken Cup with 608 points, the only player over 600, and wing Thomas Lombard with 17 cup appearances and 16 tries.

The pitch is very heavy and the captain's run had to be moved to Cwmbran today, but the match will go ahead, even if it resembles the lake at Bath a few years ago.

Dragons team: P Montgomery, N Brew, H Luscombe, A Marinos (captain), B Breeze, L Jarvis, G Baber, A Black, P Young, C Anthony, I Gough, M Owen, P Ringer, A Beattie, J Forster. Replacements: G Arasa, S Tuipulotu, R Jones, R Snow, S Jones, P Sidoli, S van Rensburg. Stade Francais: I Corletto, T Lombard, S Glas, B Liebenberg, Mirco Bergamasco, D Dominguez, A Pichot, P Lemione, B August, P de Villiers, D Auradou, A Marchois, C Moni, R Martin, P Tabacco. Replacements: I Vass, D Skrela, C Dominici, S Marconnet, M Blin, R Jechoux, P Rabadan. Kick off 2.30pm.