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Prop to make first Parade start as Wales forwards boost Dragons pack for Zebre

Chris Kirwan
·1-min read
STARTER: Luke Yendle gets the nod at tighthead for the Dragons against Zebre <i>(Image: Huw Evans Agency)</i>
STARTER: Luke Yendle gets the nod at tighthead for the Dragons against Zebre (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

TIGHTHEAD Luke Yendle will make his first Rodney Parade start for the Dragons in their United Rugby Championship basement battle with Zebre Parma.

The 23-year-old prop has been promoted to the XV for the Good Friday clash in Newport (kick-off 7.35pm) after Chris Coleman suffered a minor calf strain.

Yendle has made 11 appearances this season with starts away to Munster in the URC and Zebre in the European Challenge Cup.

He comes into the starting line-up as one of seven changes from the 31-10 loss to the title-chasing Bulls, with former Ospreys and Cardiff prop Dmitri Arhip set for a debut off the bench when he replaces him.

Wales forwards Elliot Dee and Aaron Wainwright start at hooker and number eight after coming off the bench last weekend on their return from Six Nations duty.

Lock Ben Carter makes his first start since mid-November after returning from a hamstring injury against the Bulls.

South Wales Argus: BACK: Wales winger Rio Dyer
South Wales Argus: BACK: Wales winger Rio Dyer

BACK: Wales winger Rio Dyer (Image: Press Association)

Wales wing Rio Dyer is back after being rested last week after his Six Nations exertions with Jared Rosser coming in on the other flank and Aneurin Owen getting the nod at inside centre.

The Dragons once again opt for a six forwards on the bench with Joe Westwood covering the outside backs.

"One thing that I am learning is that to compete in this league is that you need to have a pack able to compete," said Flanagan.

"When we have that, we are in games no matter who we play. That showed against the Bulls with the ability to bring Keddie, Wainwright, Carter off the bench.

"That enhanced our performance and we will be looking to do similar this week."

Dragons: Cai Evans; Rio Dyer, Steff Hughes (captain), Aneurin Owen, Jared Rosser; Will Reed, Rhodri Williams; Rhodri Jones, Elliot Dee, Luke Yendle, Ben Carter, Matthew Screech, Sean Lonsdale, Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: James Benjamin, Rodrigo Martinez, Dmitri Arhip, George Nott, Dan Lydiate, Harri Keddie, Dane Blacker, Joe Westwood.