COACH Paul Turner pays his latest captain Ashley Smith a glowing tribute as he leads Newport Gwent Dragons into battle against Gloucester in Saturday’s EDF Energy Cup-tie at Kingsholm.

Smith, who is 21, becomes the 14th player to lead the Dragons since joining them from the academy three years ago. A strong running inside centre Smith has been capped at under 16, 18, 19 and 20 levels.

“From an early age Ashley has proved a natural leader, he’s a strong and physical inside centre who organises the team and players around him,” said Turner.

“He was a natural choice, a mature youngster who came through the system and players like him and Lewis Evans are future captaincy material of the Dragons. This goes along with our policy, Ashley is a confident youngster with a huge future.”

Smith will partner Rhodri Davies in a new centre partnership, with Marc Stcherbina and Rory Sidey both rested, while Turner is also able to rotate his back row with Richard Parks, Grant Webb and Dan Lydiate stepping in for Colin Charvis, Lewis Evans and Joe Bearman.

Elswehere Tal Selley is on the right wing in place of Gareth Wyatt while Shaun Connor, who kicked two late penalties at Bath to earn a losing bonus point for the Dragons, replaces James Arlidge at outside half.

Steve Jones gets his second start of the season at hooker with regular captain Tom Willis on the bench while lock Andrew Hall also makes his second start, Wales squad member Luke Charteris stepping down.

There is no such luck for fellow squad player Rhys Thomas, though, who has to play again along with Adam Black because the Dragons still have four props out of action.

Teenager Aaron Coundley has been on the bench for the past two weeks, but this time Newport’s Mike Murphy fills the role. He played a half in the Dragons’ previous EDF Cup game against Newcastle.

The Dragons won that 25-14 to put them in pole position in their group, but they now face daunting trips to Gloucester and Wasps, though they proved at Bath they need fear no one. They will be seeking to avange a last gasp 13-11 defeat by Gloucester at Rodney Parade last season in the same competition.

Team: P Dollman, T Selley, R Davies, A Smith (captain), R Fussell, S Connor, W Evans, A Black, S Jones, R Thomas, A Hall, A Jones, D Lydiate, G Webb, R Parks. Replacements: G Maule, J Tovey, T Isaacs, M Murphy, T Willis, J Bearman, J Ringer. Kick off 3pm.