NUMBER eight Lewis Evans is poised to skipper a Dragons Development XV when they head north to take on RGC 1404 in Colwyn Bay tomorrow evening (kick-off 6.30pm).
Evans has been out of action for six weeks since breaking a bone in his right hand in the Magners League victory against Munster at Rodney Parade.
He will lead the side out providing he does not feature too prominently for the region in tonight’s derby clash with Cardiff Blues, for which he is on the bench.
The squad for the clash in Colwyn Bay is a mixture of Dragons Academy prospects and those that have impressed in the Premiership.
The north Walians edged past Cross Keys 16-13 at Parc Eirias last Saturday and Academy manager Will Thomas is expecting a stern test.
“We know that it will be physical and that it will be a battle,” said Thomas, who will be coaching the team along with Wayne Evans and Shaun Connor.
“RGC 1404 have put a lot of emphasis into this game, it’s their last of the season and we are the first region to head up to north Wales so they will be gunning for us.
“This is a great opportunity to look at some of the boys from the Premiership who are knocking on the door.
“We have talked about developing more of these A games, though fitting them into the calendar alongside the Premiership and British and Irish Cup is tough though.”
Like Evans, the involvement of hooker Lloyd Burns, prop Nigel Hall, flanker James Harris and centre Adam Hughes depends on how much game time they get off the bench for the seniors against the Blues.
Dragons development XV (provisional): G O’Driscoll, S Taylor, A Hughes, P Leach, M Poole, L Robling, J Leadbeater, A Coundley, L Burns, N Hall, R Wilson, J Murphy, R Jenkins, J Harris, L Evans (captain). Replacements: P Price, C Attwell, N Buck/G Robinson, S Pailor, R Nash, J Evans, A Greendale, N Bellamore.
Meanwhile, the Dragons under-15 side takes on a Select XV at Pandy Park tonight, (kick-off 7.15pm).
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