SHANE Lewis-Hughes will make his first start at lock for the Dragons in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship meeting with Benetton at Rodney Parade (kick-off 7.35pm).

The summer signing from Cardiff has made a huge impact in the back row in the first four rounds of the season, initially at number eight before slotting in at his preferred blindside.

The 27-year-old, who has been pushing for a Wales recall, will show his versatility against the Italians when he started next to captain Ben Carter in the second row.

Lewis-Hughes featured predominantly as a lock in his final season with the Blue and Blacks and moves forward to replace Wales international Matthew Screech, who has what the club have called a ‘knock’.

Ryan Woodman comes into the XV at blindside while Australian lock Steve Cummins is set for a debut off the bench after recovering from a hand injury suffered in pre-season.

Head coach Dai Flanagan resists the temptation to drastically tinker with the starting line-up in a bid to add some energy after a flat display in the 23-19 defeat to the Lions.

RETURN: Ryan Woodman starts at blindside for the Dragons against BenettonRETURN: Ryan Woodman starts at blindside for the Dragons against Benetton (Image: Brendan Moran/Huw Evans Agency)

Woodman is the only change up front while there is just one switch in the backs with a return for winger Jared Rosser, who was a late withdrawal last weekend because of a tight groin.

Cameron Jones once again covers loosehead after being brought in on an emergency loan from the Ospreys while there could be a Rodney Parade farewell for centre Steff Hughes.

Last season’s club captain is leaving at the end of the first URC block and has been named as a replacement ahead of fly-half Will Reed and fellow centre Harry Wilson, with full-back Angus O’Brien providing the cover at 10.

He is joined on the bench by Wales and Lions legend Dan Lydiate, who will move within a game of his Dragons century if he gets on.

The 36-year-old is now in a player-coach role but has featured three times this season because of injuries to back row forwards Aaron Wainwright and Solomone Funaki, plus the unavailability of Ollie Griffiths.

“Dan has been in the 23 but it's been justified,” said head coach Dai Flanagan about the contact coach.

“His performances and what he has given us has potentially exceeded how he was playing when he first came back. He has had a new lease of life and will want to get that century.”

Benetton, who hammered the Sharks 38-10 last weekend, head to Newport with a formidable side featuring 13 internationals in their XV and 18 in the matchday squad.

Dragons: Angus O’Brien; Rio Dyer, Joe Westwood, Aneurin Owen, Jared Rosser; Lloyd Evans, Rhodri Williams; Rodrigo Martinez, Brodie Coghlan, Leon Brown, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Ben Carter (captain), Ryan Woodman, Harri Keddie, Taine Basham.

Replacements: Oli Burrows, Cameron Jones, Chris Coleman, Steve Cummins, Dan Lydiate, Dane Blacker, Steff Hughes, Ewan Rosser.

Benetton: Matt Gallagher; Ignacio Mendy, Tommaso Menoncello, Ignacio Brex, Louis Lynagh; Jacob Umaga, Andy Uren; Thomas Gallo, Bautista Bernasconi, Simone Ferrari, Niccolo Cannone, Federico Ruzza, Alessandro Izekor, Michele Lamaro (captain), Lorenzo Cannone.

Replacements: Marco Manfredi, Destiny Aminu, Enzo Avaca, Eli Snyman, Manuel Zuliani, Alessandro Garbisi, Tomas Albornoz, Malakai Fekitoa.

Referee: Peter Martin (Ireland).

Dragons unavailable (15): Harri Ackerman (leg), Dmitri Arhip (knee), Oli Andrew (hamstring), James Benjamin (knock), Elliot Dee (ankle), Solomone Funaki (knee), Ollie Griffiths (unavailable), Ashton Hewitt (knee), Rhodri Jones (knee), Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths (ankle), George Nott (shoulder), Josh Reynolds (leg), Matthew Screech (knock), Aaron Wainwright (hamstring), Jordan Williams (ankle).