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Thomas Young to make Dragons debut in Welsh URC derby
By Ian Cameron
Thomas Young will make his Dragons RFC debut in Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship derby against Ospreys at Rodney Parade.
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The former Wasps and Cardiff flanker (33) slots into a reshuffled back row as the Men of Gwent make six changes following last weekend’s loss to Cardiff.
The son of Wales propping legend Dai will be looking to make an impact in a back-row that includes Wales No.8 Aaron Wainwright and Ryan Woodman, who moves to blindside.
Chris Coleman and Matthew Screech return to the pack. Coleman’s inclusion caps off a big week for the prop after being called up to the Wales squad.
Out wide, Huw Anderson comes in on the wing and Joe Westwood returns at outside centre, with Rio Dyer and Harri Ackerman both sidelined through injury.
It’s a freshened-up Dragons side looking to spark a response in front of their home fans against an Ospreys team buoyed by their derby win over the Scarlets.
“Ospreys will be a tough side, and they will come to us and challenge us,” said defence coach Dale MacLeod, who is stepping in for Filo Tiatia, who misses out for personal reasons.
“They will be physical, they will be tough, and they will stay in the fight for 80 minutes.
“We’ve got to be at our very best to beat them. That is all we are focused on.”
Dragons RFC: Angus O’Brien (CC), Fine Inisi, Joe Westwood, Aneurin Owen, Huw Anderson, Tinus de Beer, Rhodri Williams; Wyn Jones, Brodie Coghlan, Chris Coleman, Matthew Screech, Ben Carter (CC), Ryan Woodman, Thomas Young, Aaron Wainwright
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Replacements: Oli Burrows, Rodrigo Martinez, Dillon Lewis, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Harry Beddall, Niall Armstrong, Cai Evans, David Richards
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