NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have lost one starlet to Wales duty but another bright prospect will step into the breach against Edinburgh tomorrow.

Head coach Paul Turner has been forced into reshuffling his back row for the Magners League trip to the Scottish capital after failing in his plea to Warren Gatland for the release of blindside flanker Dan Lydiate.

Number eight Grant Webb joins fellow New Zealander Hoani MacDonald and openside Gavin Thomas in the back row and waiting in the wings is 6ft 2ins, 18-year-old Toby Faletau.

Faletau, the son of former Ebbw Vale and Tonga lock Kuli, has produced a string of superb performances for Cross Keys in the Premiership.

His potential has been clear since Dragons academy manager Will Thomas spotted him playing for Filton College last season.

His powerful displays for Keys have not just caught the eye of his regional bosses – the Ospreys rumoured to be monitoring his progress – but the Dragons are working hard to ensure he remains at Rodney Parade.

"He is a boy in a man’s body," said Turner. "I thought before the season that he would play for us at some stage but I must admit I didn’t expect it to happen before Christmas.

"He really is one for the future and that was clear from the moment he walked into the academy.

"We will give him some game time at Murrayfield and it will be a great experience for him.

l continued from back It’s a big stage for him and I’m sure he will be pretty nervous but he has got all the skills and just needs to show them under pressure."

Prop Pat Palmer, who played for the Dragons against Leinster in 2008, comes in for Peter Bracken while Matthew J Watkins makes his first start at inside centre and Jason Tovey returns at full-back.

"I felt Matthew and Jason gave us some energy that had been missing at the Scarlets," said Turner. "While it has taken a bit longer to get Matthew on the pitch than expected he is experienced and has been good to have around.

"It is also nice to have a couple of props and we are able to share the load around by giving Pat the start.

"Peter has done okay in difficult circumstances after being thrown in at the deep end and we will give him some more game time tomorrow."

Back row forward Lewis Evans misses out with a calf injury but is expected to be fit for Friday’s Anglo-Welsh tie with Sale. Scrum half Wayne Evans returns after missing the Scarlets match wqith a back injury.

Steve Jones is the Dragons’ fourth skipper of the season in the absence of Tom Willis (calf injury), Luke Charteris (Wales duty) and Ashley Smith (rested).

Dragons: J Tovey, A Brew, T Riley, M Watkins, R Fussell, J Arlidge, W Evans, H Gustafson, S Jones (captain), P Palmer, R Sidoli, A Jones, H MacDonald, G Thomas, G Webb. Replacements: D Goodfield, P Bracken, J Harris, T Faletau, M Thomas, R Davies, D Lee.