NEWPORT Gwent Dragons field their fourth different combination in successive games in their troubled prop position for tonight’s Heineken Cup clash against Glasgow at Rodney Parade.

Ali McKenzie and Nigel Hall, who have started four of the Dragons’ six matches this season, are ruled out by hand and shoulder injuries, respectively, so this time they pair Phil Price and Peter Bracken.

Both make their first competitive starts for their new team at the opposite ends of the experience scale, Price a raw 20-year-old and Bracken, at 11 years older, an experienced campaigner.

Bracken gets a far earlier start than he could have imagined considering that a couple of weeks ago he thought his professional rugby career might be over, back home in Ireland playing for Galwegians after earning a Heineken Cup winners medal with Wasps.

Price is fresh out of the Ospreys Academy, joining Bedwas in the summer but drafted in by the Dragons and impressing in the pre-season friendly against Guinness Premiership Worcester where he picked up a knee injury which has kept him out since.

Hugh Gustafson and fit-again Gethin Robinson are on the bench against Glasgow, and there is still Ben Castle as yet another prop to start once he has recovered from a torn bicep.

Turner backs Price and Wales Sevens winger Will Harries, who also makes his first start in a competitive game for the Dragons after Richard Fussell missed training this week because of a virus.

“Phil impressed us in the summer and did well in the trial and against Worcester,” said coach Paul Turner.

“We are indebted to Bedwas because the plan was for him to spend the season with them, but we are delighted with his progress. This is going to be a big one for him because Glasgow have got a pretty good scrum.

“Will played for us in pre-season after I’d heard good things about him from Mike Rayer in his time with Bedford. He’s been relentless and wants to show us what he can do.”

Two more back changes see Martyn Thomas starting at full back in place of Jason Tovey and Rhodri Davies playing in his favourite outside centre position for the first time this season which means Tom Riley steps down after playing for every minute of every match.

“Martyn and Jason are both very good players and we need to see other players in the centre. We’re really pleased with Tom’s form, but he’s picked up a few bumps and bruises,” said Turner.

There are also three changes up front with Price making his debut at loose head prop, Adam Jones recalled at lock on a kind of rota system with Rob Sidoli, and Lewis Evans making his first start of the season at No 8 with Joe Bearman resting a groin injury.

Tom Willis is still not fit because of his torn calf muscle but could start at Llanelli next Friday, as could centre Matthew Watkins. Lock Luke Charteris again leads the side.

Glasgow, who will be aiming to avenge a hefty bonus point defeat by the Dragons at Rodney Parade last month in the Magners League, look strong at half back where Chris Cusiter partners the prolific Dan Parks while they also have the dangerous Thom Evans back.

Dragons: M Thomas, W Harries, R Davies, A Smith, A Brew, J Arlidge, W Evans, P Price, S Jones, P Bracken, A Jones, L Charteris (captain), D Lydiate, L Evans, G Thomas. Replacements: J Tovey, R Fussell, D Lee, H Gustafson, D Goodfield, G Robinson, R Sidoli, H MacDonald.

Glasgow: B Stortoni, C Shaw, D McCall, G Morrison, T Evans, D Parks, C Cusiter, J Welsh, D Hall, M Low, T Barker, A Kellock (captain), R Vernon, J Barclay, J Beattie. Replacements: P MacArthur, K Tkachuk, E Kalman, D Turner, C Gregor, H O’Hare, P Horne, K Brown. Kick off 7.30pm.