WALES number eight Aaron Wainwright will return from injury as a starter for the Dragons at Connacht tomorrow – while Angus O’Brien moves to 10 to provide a big kicking option in the Galway wind.
Wainwright will prove his fitness ahead of the autumn internationals by coming into the XV for the final fixture of the first block of the United Rugby Championship at the Sportsground (kick-off 7.35pm).
The number eight has made a rapid return after suffering a hamstring injury in Wales’ first Test defeat to Australia in Sydney at the start of July.
After being named in Warren Gatland’s squad for the November internationals on Monday, Wainwright adds some X-factor to the Dragons side when joining Shane Lewis-Hughes and Harri Keddie in a powerful back row, with Taine Basham to add energy from the bench.
All four of the Wales squad members feature in Galway with wing Rio Dyer and lock Ben Carter starting and scrum-half Rhodri Williams on the bench.
The Dragons, who have lost four games on the spin since edging out the Ospreys on opening weekend, make eight changes to the XV that lost to Benetton.
There is a new front row with hooker Oli Burrows making his first start since arriving from Exeter in the summer in between on-loan Ospreys loosehead Cameron Jones and tighthead Chris Coleman.
Wales international Matthew Screech returns at lock, which means Lewis-Hughes goes back to his favoured blindside.
Ewan Rosser comes in on the left wing for his older brother Jared while Dane Blacker and Rhodri Williams continue to rotate roles, with Blacker the starter this weekend.
No doubt with an eye on the weather forecast, there are a pair of big boots in the side with O’Brien moving to fly-half and Cai Evans making a first appearance of the season at full-back after a hamstring injury.
The Dragons are playing on Connacht’s artificial surface for the first time but the weather has been more of a factor in selection.
“It’s built for a faster game with a quicker speed of ball and quicker scrums, but it’s the other elements in Galway,” said head coach Dai Flanagan about the plastic pitch.
“It’s forecast that there will be 28mph winds, which usually go straight down the field. We have to be prepared for that and the rain.
“We will have to go to battle this weekend. I would be very surprised if we go there and it’s not windy and rainy, it’s a lot easier to prepare for that and adapt if it’s dry than ignore what could be coming.
“We just need to hone in on what we have been good at and get better at it to earn more rewards. If we excel at what we have been good at then we will have a good day at the office.”
Connacht produced a stirring comeback to beat the Sharks in Galway but lost 33-12 to Leinster on home plastic last weekend.
They field a starting line-up featuring star centre Bundee Aki, lively wing Santiago Cordero, classy half-backs Jack Carty and Caolin Blade plus a formidable front row that includes influential tighthead Finlay Bealham.
“I like Connacht, they have a blend of a very good team,” said Flanagan. “There are 23 guys who are really fighting for the cause, they are all committed to winning 50/50 battles and collisions.
“They are really well coached and have an identity with their style of play that they don’t go too far away from.
“There are not too many teams better at playing into the wind that Connacht in Galway. Their style, skill set and accuracy allows them to keep the ball for long periods. We have a big challenge but it’s one we are looking forward to.”
Connacht: Piers O'Conor; Shayne Bolton, Cathal Forde, Bundee Aki, Santiago Cordero; Jack Carty, Caolin Blade; Peter Dooley, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Finlay Bealham, Joe Joyce, Niall Murray, Cian Prendergast (captain), Sean O'Brien, Paul Boyle.
Replacements: Eoin de Buitlear, Denis Buckley, Jack Aungier, Darragh Murray, Sean Jansen, Matthew Devine, Josh Ioane, Hugh Gavin.
Dragons: Cai Evans; Rio Dyer, Joe Westwood, Aneurin Owen, Ewan Rosser; Angus O’Brien, Dane Blacker, Cameron Jones, Oli Burrows, Chris Coleman, Ben Carter (captain), Matthew Screech, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Harri Keddie, Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Aki Seiuli, Luke Yendle, Steve Cummins, Taine Basham, Rhodri Williams, Lloyd Evans, Harry Wilson.
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