THE Dragons have taken a gamble and left Wales star Aaron Wainwright out of their must-win Challenge Cup game against Pau.

The Rodney Parade club realistically need to claim at least four match points from Sunday's fixture in Newport (kick-off 3.15pm), but they won't field their talisman at number eight.

Wainwright went off with a head injury at the Scarlets on New Year's Day but was fit for selection to face the French side.

However, the dynamic back rower - who was pivotal in the win at Newcastle that gave a boost to hopes of qualifying for the last 16 and leads the Challenge Cup carry stats with 34 in two games - will watch on from the stands at Rodney Parade.

Interim head coach Filo Tiatia has opted to give an opportunity to George Young at openside with Taine Basham, the star of the season so far, shifting to number eight.

Shane Lewis-Hughes is selected at blindside and the Dragons have also opted against Wainwright adding oomph from the bench, 37-year-old player-coach Dan Lydiate instead getting the nod.

INFLUENTIAL: Dragons number eight Aaron Wainwright on the charge against Newcastle (Image: Chris Booth/Huw Evans Agency)

The Test star, who will be named in Wales’ squad for the Six Nations on Monday, is left out of the matchday squad despite Tiatia stressing that Pau boast plenty of hard-hitters.

“Pau are a good side. They have a big depth in their squad and definitely got a power game with strong athletes across the board, from back row to midfield to back three,” said the boss.

“They will be a threat and we have watched a lot of their games, the evidence is on the footage and there are a few players that we need to stop.”

Tiatia has gambled with his back row selection and has also suffered another injury blow at lock with Ryan Woodman, who moved forward from blindside impressively in the festive derbies, out because of an ankle knock.

That leads to a first start for Newport RFC lock Barny Langton-Cryer alongside Joe Davies, with George Nott passed fit to be a replacement after suffering a head injury at Newcastle in December.

There is good news with a first start of the season for Wales hooker Elliot Dee after ankle and calf issues while promising centre Harri Ackerman is included for the first time in 2024/25.

The 20-year-old has earned his recall after impressing with Newport RFC in Super Rygbi Cymru as part of his comeback plan from a broken leg suffered when captaining Wales Under-20s last March.

Wales scrum-half Rhodri Williams is out with a knee injury, meaning a start for Che Hope with his fellow bright young prospect Morgan Lloyd on the bench.

Pau have rotated their squad after the Top 14 defeat to Castres last time out and feature former England scrum-half Dan Robson, highly-rated France lock Hugo Auradou and rapid winger Theo Attissogbe in the XV, with ex-Exeter tighthead Harry Williams on the bench.

Dragons: Cai Evans; Rio Dyer, Joe Westwood, Harri Ackerman, Jared Rosser; Angus O’Brien (captain), Che Hope; Rodrigo Martinez, Elliot Dee, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, Barny Langton-Cryer, Shane Lewis-Hughes, George Young, Taine Basham.

Replacements: James Benjamin, Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Dmitri Arhip, George Nott, Dan Lydiate, Morgan Lloyd, Lloyd Evans, Ewan Rosser.

Pau: Clement Mondinat; Theo Attissogbe, Eliott Roudil (captain), Fabien Brau-Boirie, Gregoire Arfeuil; Axel Desperes, Dan Robson; Remi Seneca, Romain Ruffenach, Jon Zabala Arrieta, Hugo Auradou, Jimi Maximin, Mehdi Tlili, Reece Hewat, Thibaut Hamonou.

Replacements: Dan Jooste, Daniel Bibi Biziwu, Harry Williams, Remi Picquette, Loic Credoz, Thomas Souverbie, Quentin Valentino, Jack Maddocks.

Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SA)​.