New signing Crosswell gets the nod from Jones

Newport Gwent Dragons flanker Nick Crosswell will make his first appearance for the Men of Gwent on Sunday against Exeter Chiefs in the LV=Cup, KO 14:30.

Crosswell recently signed a contract with the Dragons after leaving New Zealand province the Manawatu Turbos.

The 28-year-old has been training with the Welsh region since his arrival in Wales and is one of twelve changes Dragons management have made to the team that faced Stade Francais in the European Rugby Challenge Cup last weekend.

The back three has one change made to it as fullback Geraint Rhys Jones and wing Tom Prydie are joined by Ashton Hewitt. The centre partnership consists of premiership star Carl Meyer, who joins the Dragons from Ebbw Vale RFC and Dragons stalwart Ashley Smith who takes on the role of skipper. This is Smith's first appearance for the Dragons since recovering from a jaw injury which he sustained whilst playing against Bucharest Wolves in December. Fly half Dorian Jones retains his place from last weekend and is joined in the half backs by scrumhalf Richie Rees.

The front row sees props Lloyd Fairbrother and Dan Way start alongside hooker Hugh Gustafson. The second row has also changed as young guns Matthew Screech and Cory Hill take up the position of lock forwards. The back row is a mixture of youth and experience as flankers Nick Crosswell and James Benjamin are named to play alongside British and Irish lion No.8 Andy Powell.

There are six changes to the replacements bench as Rhys Buckley, Owen Evans, David Young, Joe Davies and Scott Matthews join Luc Jones and Angus O'Brien.

Dragons team to face Exeter Chiefs
Geraint Rhys Jones, Tom Prydie, Carl Meyer, Ashley Smith (c), Ashton Hewitt, Dorian Jones, Richie Rees; Lloyd Fairbrother, Hugh Gustafson, Dan Way, Matthew Screech, Cory Hill, Nick Crosswell, James Benjamin, Andy Powell.

Replacements: Rhys Buckley, Owen Evans, David Young, Joe Davies, Scott Matthews, Luc Jones, Angus O'Brien, Jack Dixon.

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Pair make debut as Jenkins captains Blues

James Sheekey and Seb Davies will all make their debuts for Cardiff Blues as the region returns to LV=Cup action away to Wasps at Ricoh Arena on Sunday afternoon ( kick-off 2pm).

The pair are handed first-ever senior outings for the Blues, in a team captained by Ellis Jenkins, that contains a mix of youth and experience.

Wales international Craig Mitchell packs down with Rhys Williams and Tom Davies up front while lock Miles Normandale joins forces with Seb Davies in the second row.

Newcomer James Sheekey joins Macauley Cook and skipper Jenkins in the back row.

Centre Adam Thomas is paired with Garyn Smith, who made his debut earlier in the season, in midfield.

Argentine, Lucas Amorosino is on the wing with Richard Smith and Joaquin Tuculet completing the back three. The half back pairing is Rhys Patchell and Lewis Jones.

The bench contains another potential debut in Flanker, Jordan Viggers who is in line for a first team bow if he comes on at the Ricoh Arena.

Richard Hodges, Elite Performance Pathway Manager at the Blues, said "The game is another chance for players on the fringes of the first team and at Academy standard to step up to the plate and gain exposure to regional rugby.

"It is great to have Ellis involved again to lead the group and help bring up the standards, supplemented by the likes of Macauley Cook, Craig Mitchell, Rhys Williams and Rhys Patchell.

"We have a good core to the squad that allows us to feed the younger players in.

"We have our under 20 boys this week, who will then go off to Under 20s camp on Monday so we want to give them some exposure this week.

"A few players will be making their regional debut this weekend. They are boys who have been in the Blues set up now for four or five years and everything has lent itself to a day like Sunday, which will be a great day for them and their families.

"We are two out of two, if we don't get the win this weekend it will be tough to get through. We have to get the win on Sunday."

Cardiff Blues: 15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Richard Smith, 13 Garyn Smith, 12 Adam Thomas, 11 Lucas Amorosino, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Lewis Jones; 1 Thomas Davies, 2 Rhys Williams, 3 Craig Mitchell, 4 Miles Normandale, 5 Seb Davies, 6 Macauley Cook, 7 Ellis Jenkins (c), 8 James Sheekey.

Replacements: 16 Liam Belcher, 17 Brad Thyer, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Ben Roach, 20 Jordan Viggers, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Simon Humberstone, 23 Geraint Walsh

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British and Irish Lion centre Davies back in action for Scarlets

World-renowned international centre Jonathan Davies will return to action this weekend, after being sidelined with a pectoral tear since the Autumn Internationals, and will line up alongside fellow Scarlets captain Rob McCusker in the region's LV= Cup clash against London Irish.
The final pool stage of the 2013-14 LV= Cup campaign sees the Scarlets travel to the Madejski Stadium on Saturday 1st February, kick-off 4pm, to take on London Irish with the Welsh region looking to build on their victory over Gloucester last Friday evening and secure a strong footing as they return to league action next week.

Previous LV= Cup encounters between the two sides came in November 2010 and January 2012 with the Scarlets victorious on both occasions; 16-25 and 27-19 respectively.

Davies makes a welcome return to the Scarlets jersey having last played for the region against Zebre in October.

Scarlets Head Coach Simon Easterby said: "It's an opportunity for Jon to get game time after such a long lay-off. It's good news he's had such a speedy recovery and he's done really well to get back in the timeframe he has. He's ready and will play his part for us on the weekend.”

Deacon Manu also makes a return to action after a long injury; he made his last appearance for the region against Benetton Treviso at Parc y Scarlets in September 2013 when he suffered a fractured arm. Manu start at tighthead prop with Rob Evans his opposite at loosehead and young Darran Harris taking up the hooker berth.

Despite securing victory over Gloucester in poor conditions at Parc y Scarlets last Friday evening Northampton Saints' victory over the Dragons on Saturday means that the Scarlets are no longer in the running for a semi final spot in the LV= Cup competition. Easterby added: "We're disappointed not to be battling it out for a semi final spot but it's still important.

"We had some momentum last season from a couple of good performances in the LV= Cup and took that into the PRO12. We have an important month coming up in the league.”
Easterby has made seven changes to the side who faced Gloucester last weekend and once again has opted for a mix of youth and experience for this weekend's encounter against London Irish.

Rob McCusker returns to captain the side with Frazier Climo also returning from the sidelines (concussion) and young flanker Lewis Rawlins making his second start for the region.

Easterby went on to say: "It's an opportunity to get some guys game time that we haven't seen much of in the Scarlets shirt. The young guys have gone well in the British & Irish Cup with Llanelli and in the Premiership for Llandovery and Carmarthen Quins.

"We're looking forward to see some different combinations within the squad but it's also important for us to build momentum going into a tough four weeks of PRO12.”

Scarlets team to take on London Irish, Saturday 1st February, kick-off 4pm:
15 Jordan Williams, 14 Aaron Warren, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Gareth Owen, 11 Frazier Climo, 10 Josh Lewis, 9 Aled Davies, 1 Rob Evans, 2 Darran Harris, 3 Deacon Manu, 4 Richard Kelly, 5 Johan Snyman, 6 Lewis Rawlins, 7 Craig Price, 8 Rob McCusker (c)

Replacements: Torin Myhill, Wyn Jones, Jacobie Adriaanse, George Earle, Daniel Thomas, Gareth Davies, Aled Thomas, Adam Warren

The following are unavailable for selection through injury: Steven Shingler (shoulder), Sion Bennett (shoulder), Nic Reynolds (pec), Gareth Maule (concussion), Kirby Myhill (thigh haematoma), Sione Timani (calf strain).

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Wales U20s stars get the nod from Jones

Three of Wales' U20 stars have been named in the Dragons team to face Northampton Saints, Saturday 25th January KO 2:30pm.

Elliot Dee, James Benjamin and Luc Jones all start this weekend in a new-look team of youth and experience for the men of Gwent.

Dee who makes his ninth appearance for the region commented, "I feel pretty confident in the team. I feel a lot more relaxed now compared to how I felt before. I am very confident in my ability and just want to show the coaches what I can do.”

Looking towards the game on the weekend, he said "Northampton are going to come at us with a big driving game. They have a fast attacking line and big centres so they are going to turn on the power game against us. As a team everyone will be attacking the game against the Saints. Personally I want to do my best to impress Byron (Hayward) so that I am included in the U20s team."

Including the three U20s stars director of rugby, Lyn Jones, has made ten changes to the starting line up. Dan Evans keeps the fullback position from last week and is joined in the back three by wingers Matthew Pewtner and Will Harries. The centre pairing takes on the shape of Pat Leach and Ashley Smith, whilst the halfback positions are taken up by Jason Tovey who returns from an injury he sustained against Bath Rugby and youngster Luc Jones.

The front row takes on a different form with Phil Price, Elliot Dee and Nathan Buck. The second row takes the shape of youngster Cory Hill and longstanding Dragon Adam Jones. The back see the return of Lewis Evans to skipper, under 20s star James Benjamin and Fijian international Netani Talei.

There have been six changes to the replacements bench which includes the addition of Joe Mills. The Bedwas prop is on loan to the region after impressing coaches with his great ball skills. The prop has started ten times for Bedwas and this will be his first appearance for the Dragons if he is called upon. He is joined on the bench by T. Rhys Thomas, Owen Evans, Matthew Screech, Jevon Groves, Richie Rees, Kris Burton and Ross Wardle.

Dragons Team to face Northampton Saints

Dan Evans, Matthew Pewtner, Pat Leach, Ashley Smith, Will Harries, Jason Tovey, Luc Jones; Phil Price, Elliot Dee, Nathan Buck, Cory Hill, Adam Jones, Lewis Evans (c), James Benjamin, Netani Talei.

Replacements:

T. Rhys Thomas, Owen Evans, Joe Mills, Matthew Screech, Jevon Groves, Richie Rees, Kris Burton, Ross Wardle.

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Ospreys get home advantage for LV= Cup starter

THE Ospreys will get next season’s LV= Cup under way with a home clash against Gloucester in front of the Sky cameras.

Dai Young takes his London Wasps side to former club Cardiff Blues on the opening weekend while the Dragons go to Bath and Scarlets travel to Worcester Warriors.

Reigning champions Leicester Tigers start the defence of their title away to Saracens and London Welsh host Exeter Chiefs, a game which is live on S4C.

Ospreys and London Welsh were drawn in Pool Four and will play the four clubs in Pool One – Harlequins, Exeter Chiefs, Gloucester and the Dragons.

Meanwhile, the Blues in Pool Two take on Scarlets, Saracens, London Irish and Wasps in Pool Three during the round-robin stages.

The Tigers lifted the trophy last season following a convincing win over 2009 victors Northampton Saints at Sixways Stadium. Tries from Steve Mafi and Scott Hamilton plus 12 points from the boot of George Ford secured the crown.

Sponsors LV= continue their support of the competition which last year saw 10,000 supporters turn out for the final at Sixways, as well as the introduction of the LV= Breakthrough Player award, presented to Jonny May. 

The 12 English clubs have been allocated to pools depending on their finish in last season's Aviva Premiership while the Welsh regions were placed where they are to avoid repeating fixtures from the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup where possible.

Pool 1

Harlequins, Exeter Chiefs, Gloucester, Newport Gwent Dragons

Pool 2  

Leicester Tigers, Sale Sharks, Worcester Warriors, Cardiff Blues

Pool 3

Saracens, London Irish, London Wasps, Scarlets

Pool 4

Northampton Saints, Bath Rugby, London Welsh, Ospreys

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