DRAGONS V EDINBURGH (Saturday KO 2pm)

LEWIS Evans has been handed another chance to prove himself a magnificent seven against Edinburgh on Saturday.

The 23-year-old gets the nod in the back row for the Magners League clash at Rodney Parade following excellent displays at openside flanker in the wins against Sale and the Scarlets.

A jaw injury suffered by Gavin Thomas and the retirement of Robin Sowden-Taylor has left the Dragons without an out-and-out number seven.

A loan move for Cardiff Blues’ former Wales Under-20s skipper Josh Navidi was considered, as was a call-up for Cross Keys skipper Rob Nash, who has trained with the region and featured in the pre-season game at the Cornish Pirates.

But coach Darren Edwards believes the performances of Evans have justified their decision to stick with what they have got.

“We are very pleased with Lewis and the way that the game has changed suits him,” he said.

“The contest at the breakdown has changed in terms of the ‘jackal’ where the seven has got his hands on the ball and tries to steal it. We had 48 attempts against the Scarlets and only three turnovers – that style of defence is moving out of the game.

“Sevens are changing and a destructive sort of an openside, in the style of Gavin Thomas, adds more value to the team.

“Lewis is probably the nearest that we have got to Gavin in terms of a playmaker.

“All of our back row forwards can play across all three positions and that is the way that the game is going – the 6, 7 and 8 all look the same in terms of stature.

“We did look at other options but (forwards coach) Danny Wilson, whose technical detail is excellent, convinced me that Lewis could be a seven and the experiment has turned out really well.”

The Dragons will be without full-back Martyn Thomas for the Magners League encounter with Edinburgh after he suffered a minor hamstring strain.

He could have played if needed but the risk was not deemed worthwhile with Will Harries replacing him in the number 15 jersey.

One man who is fully fit and raring to go is Dan Way, who gets his first league start at tighthead prop.

The 23-year-old made an excellent start to the season with Newport under the watchful eye of head coach Sven Cronk, a man who earned his trade anchoring the scrum with the Black and Ambers and Pontypridd.

Edwards said: “The credit has got to go to Sven – he brought Dan over from Swindon and he has really developed.

“Danny Wilson scoured our region for the next tighthead prop, which is the most sought-after position in the game, and we have found a gem.

“He deserves his chance against Edinburgh because he has trained hard and performed well when he came on against the Scarlets.”

The inclusions of Harries and Way are two of six changes to the side that beat the Scarlets.

Ashley Smith and Jason Tovey at inside centre and fly-half respectively while prop Phil Price and lock Scott Morgan come in up front.

Newport Gwent Dragons: W Harries, A Hughes, M Watkins, A Smith, A Brew, J Tovey, W Evans, P Price, T Willis (captain), D Way, R Sidoli, S Morgan, A Coombs, L Evans, J Bearman. Replacements: H Gustafson, L Burns, P Palmer, A Brown, H Ellis, P Leach, M Jones, M Petri.