FLY-HALF Arwel Robson will make his first appearance since rupturing his hamstring when he pulls the strings for the Dragons XV against the Scarlets in the Celtic Cup on Saturday.

The 22-year-old from Penallta was been sidelined since suffering the injury in training ahead of the European Challenge Cup clash against Northampton last December.

Robson will make his return at Rodney Parade in the first game of the double-header, with the next generation kicking off at 1pm and the seniors getting under way at 4pm.

The fly-half will aim to impress director of rugby Dean Ryan ahead of the battle for the 10 jersey with Sam Davies, Josh Lewis and Jacob Botica.

He will feature alongside the Dragons' young talent that played in the Celtic Cup fixtures against Connacht and Munster before the first-teamers were given a run-out in the 40-31 loss to Cardiff Blues A at the Arms Park last Saturday.

South Wales Argus:

Robson, centre Connor Edwards, hooker Rhys Lawrence and flanker Ben Roach, who captains the side, provide experience.

Wales Under-20s openside Taine Basham made nine senior Dragons appearances last season but is selected alongside his fellow youngsters.

Dai Richards is on the bench after scoring twice from full-back for Newport at Ebbw Vale last weekend while wing James McCarthy is also among the replacements after suffering an ankle injury against Munster.

The Dragons thrashed the Irish province 36-10 and impressed with their high-octane rugby and Celtic Cup head coach Luke Narraway wants to pick up where they left off.

"There were positives to take from the Cardiff Blues fixture and now it is about how we respond to that game back on home soil," said the former England back row forward.

"A number of young players who missed out last week are back in the mix and eager to impress.

"We'll look to produce the same brand of rugby we did when we played Munster A in our last home game.

"It is set up to be a great day at Rodney Parade, with future and current stars in action, and hopefully we can set the tone in the first game."

Dragons XV: Carwyn Penny, Rio Dyer, Tom Hoppe, Connor Edwards, Joe Goodchild, Arwel Robson, Dan Babos; Josh Reynolds, Rhys Lawrence, Chris Coleman, Ed Scragg, Max Williams, Ben Roach (c), Taine Basham, Ben Fry.

Replacements: Will Griffiths, Jack Cosgrove, Luke Yendle, Max Ayling, Benji Hoppe, Dafydd Buckland, Ollie Lewis, David Richards, Morgan Richards, James McCarthy.