NEWPORT Gwent Dragons switch Sione Tuipulotu to full back for Saturday's difficult Powergen Cup-tie at Northampton.

The Tongan international, who won two more caps for his country during the summer, has played most of his Dragons rugby at inside centre, including his only start there this season.

And 19 of his 22 starts last season were in the centre, though he did make three appearances at full back.

Coach Paul Turner has made the decision partly to give Kevin Morgan a break after starting all five games this season and suffering a nasty bang to the head against Ulster and partly to see what Tuipulotu can do.

"You've got to see players playing. Tuipulotu started the Leinster game and I need to find a position for him," said Turner.

"The Wales squad have been away for two days this week and have worked particularly hard. It's an opportunity for me to see Tuipulotu at full back and rest Kevin."

Turner also switches Ceri Sweeney to outside half from inside centre despite Craig Warlow's form and 19-point haul against Leicester and he rests forwards Adam Black, Ian Gough and skipper Jason Forster, though all appear on a particularly strong bench which also features returning British Lions scrum half Gareth Cooper.

Sweeney, one of the favourites to replace the injured Gavin Henson in the Autumn internationals, moves to his more regular position where he will face a mouth-watering clash with former All Black Carlos Spencer.

"Craig was man-of-the-match against Leicester as we all know, but there's a lot of important games coming up and I need to see Ceri at 10 which I haven't done except on TV last season. I need to see Ceri play against Carlos," said Turner.

"Ben Breeze also deserves another chance on the wing, he's played himself in and Coops looks sharp. We've only got a small squad, but I've got every faith in the players we're playing.

"The surroundings are going to be tough on Saturday and we're going to have impact coming off the bench."

With Sweeney at outside half and Tuipulotu at full back Jon Bryant is recalled at inside centre alongside Hal Luscombe, recovered from a slight knee injury.

Up front David Maddocks is handed his second start of the season at loose head prop after impressing in his appearances so far and Luke Charteris has recovered from injury to team up with Peter Sidoli at lock.

Richard Bryan returns at blind side flanker with Jamie Ringer on the openside and Michael Owen captaining the side on his second appearance of the season in the absence of Forster.

Newport hookers Andrew Brown, who starts, and Leighton Jones are again included in the 22 while Rhys Thomas is now the only forward to have started every game this season, Gareth Wyatt and Luscombe the remaining 100 per centres among the backs.

Team: S Tuipulotu, G Wyatt, H Luscombe, J Bryant, B Breeze, C Sweeney, G Baber, D Maddocks, A Brown, R Thomas, L Charteris, P Sidoli, R Bryan, M Owen (captain), J Ringer. Replacements: L Jones, A Black, I Gough, J Forster, K Morgan, C Warlow, G Cooper. Kick off 6pm.