ANDREW Coombs has been declared fit to skipper Newport Gwent Dragons against the Scarlets tomorrow evening while Lions ace Toby Faletau makes his first start of the season.

Coombs, who missed last week's game in Edinburgh with an ankle injury, will lead the side from lock but flanker Nic Cudd has failed to overcome the shoulder injury that forced him off aat Murrayfield.

Lewis Evans switches to openside with Jevon Groves coming in at blindside flanker and Faletau, who came off the bench in Scotland, slotting in at number eight instead of Netani Talei.

After two appearances off the bench Argentina international Francisco Chaparro makes his first start at tighthead prop while Phil Price gets the nod at loosehead.

Tom Prydie returns on the right wing and Ross Wardle replaces injured outside centre Pat Leach.

Lions centre Jonathan Davies makes his first start of the season for the Scarlets, forming a midfield partnership with fellow Wales international Scott Williams, while Scotland flanker John Barclay makes his debut for the region.

Dragons: D Evans, T Prydie, R Wardle, J Dixon, H Amos, J Tovey, R Rees, P Price, R Thomas, F Chaparro, A Coombs (captain), M Screech, J Groves, L Evans, T Faletau: Replacements: H Gustafson, O Evans, D Way, R Sidoli, N Talei, J Evans, K Burton, A Hughes.

Scarlets: S Shingler, L Williams, J Davies, S Williams, J Williams, R Priestland, G Davies, P John, K Owens, S Lee, J Ball, G Earle, A Shingler, J Barclay, R McCusker (captain). Replacements: E Phillips, R Evans, J Adriaanse, R Kelly, J Turnbull, A Davies, N Reynolds, G Owen.