NEWPORT Gwent Dragons lock Rynard Landman has been named in the starting XV to take on the Scarlets in tomorrow’s Judgement Day derby clash at the Millennium Stadium (kick-off 4.45pm).

The 28-year-old is one of six personnel changes and two positional changes that have been made to the Dragons team beaten 45-16 by Edinburgh in last week’s European Challenge Cup semi-finals.

Director of rugby Lyn Jones has made a change at full-back as Geraint Rhys Jones steps into the back three alongside unchanged wings Tom Prydie and Hallam Amos.

The centre pairing of Tyler Morgan and Jack Dixon remains unchanged from the Edinburgh clash last weekend.

Fly half Dorian Jones, who was successful at every goal kick last weekend, retains his position alongside scrum-half Jonathan Evans.

The front row has two changes and one positional change made to it; Brok Harris moves across to tight head prop as Phil Price is named as loose head alongside hooker Rhys Buckley, who joins them in the front row.

The second row takes on a different shape as two changes are made to it with youngster Matthew Screech joining skipper Landman.

Flanker James Thomas moves from the second row to the back row to replace Nick Crosswell, who moves to the bench.

He joins flanker James Benjamin and Welsh international number eight Taulupe Faletau in the back row.

The replacements bench sees five changes as T. Rhys Thomas, Luke Garrett, Crosswell, Ollie Griffiths and Carl Meyer join Lloyd Fairbrother, Luc Jones and Ashton Hewitt.

“Rynard has been sitting on the sidelines for six weeks so I’m sure he’s ready to make an impact,” said Dorian Jones.

“He is a bit of a Test match trainer; he gets stuck in at every session.

“He’s a bit fresher than the rest of the boys as well and when I’m supposed to be doing 50 per cent tackling in training and he’s running at 100 per cent it is quite hard to bring him down!”

The Scarlets have Wales hooker Ken Owens returning to captain a strong side featuring no less than eight internationals.

Rhys Priestland is named at the pivotal outside half berth while Aled Davies keeps his place at scrum-half.

Kiwi Hadleigh Parkes partners Scott Williams in the centre, while Liam Williams is joined in the back-three by Harry Robinson and 20-year-old Steff Evans. 

In the pack Phil John and Peter Edwards pack down either side of captain Owens with Jake Ball and Lewis Rawlins making up the tight five.

Aaron Shingler returns from injury to join James Davies and John Barclay in the back-row.

Dragons: Geraint Rhys Jones, Tom Prydie, Tyler Morgan, Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos, Dorian Jones, Jonathan Evans; Phil Price, Rhys Buckley, Brok Harris, Matthew Screech, Rynard Landman (c), James Thomas, James Benjamin, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: T. Rhys Thomas, Luke Garrett, Lloyd Fairbrother, Nick Crosswell, Ollie Griffiths, Luc Jones, Carl Meyer, Ashton Hewitt.

Scarlets: Liam Williams, Harry Robinson, Hadleigh Parkes, Scott Williams, Steff Evans, Rhys Priestland, Aled Davies, Phil John, Ken Owens (capt), Peter Edwards, Jake Ball, Lewis Rawlins, Aaron Shingler, James Davies, John Barclay

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Wyn Jones, Jacobie Adriaanse, Rob McCusker, Rory Pitman, Rhodri Williams, Steven Shingler, Regan King