WALES forward Cory Hill will make his Dragons return after 10 months out in the vital European Challenge Cup clash with Worcester – but at blindside rather than lock.
The 27-year-old lines up in the back row for tomorrow's fixture at Rodney Parade (kick-off 8pm) that will be key in deciding who tops Pool One.
Hill replaces Taine Basham in the XV after the 20-year-old was given a one-week ban for the dangerous tackle that saw him red-carded at Sixways last Saturday.
The Wales lock has suffered injury frustration since suffering a blow to his left ankle when scoring the crucial try in the Six Nations win against England in Cardiff.
He recovered to take part in the World Cup training camp in Switzerland but a small stress fracture in his leg was then detected, ruling him out of a planned summer return against England.
Warren Gatland still named the 24-times capped forward in his World Cup squad but Hill, who had been Dragons captain under previous boss Bernard Jackman, returned home early from Japan after failing to recover.
He returns against the Warriors but at blindside, where he played last December to add more bulk to the pack, and joins forces with fellow Wales internationals Ollie Griffiths and Aaron Wainwright.
Boss Dean Ryan makes three other changes to the side that battled to leave Worcester with a consolation bonus after a 34-28 defeat.
Wales hooker Elliot Dee, who will make his 100th Dragons appearance, swaps with Richard Hibbard to start after coming off the bench in the Midlands while there is a new midfield partnership, Jack Dixon and Adam Warren joining forces.
Warren came on in the opening exchanges last weekend after Tom Griffiths suffered a dead leg.
There is one new face on the bench with Harri Keddie preferred to Worcester old boy Huw Taylor as back row cover.
Worcester name a stronger side than last week with former Ospreys duo Sam Lewis and Ashley Beck, at flanker and centre, in the XV along with half-backs Francois Hougaard and Duncan Weir.
The Dragons currently have a one-point lead over Worcester at the top of Pool One with Castres, who entertain Enisei-STM, are three back.
Ryan’s men travel to France in round five and should finish with a five-point haul against the Russians in Newport, so victory against the Warriors would put them in a strong position for the knockout stages.
Tomorrow’s referee is France’s Ludovic Cayre and once again there will be no television match official assistance in the Challenge Cup.
Dragons: W Talbot-Davies, O Jenkins, A Warren, J Dixon, A Hewitt, S Davies, R Williams (captain), B Harris, E Dee, L Brown, J Davies, M Screech, C Hill, O Griffiths, A Wainwright. Replacements: R Hibbard, J Reynolds, A Jarvis, M Williams, H Keddie, L Baldwin, J Botica, T Morgan.
Worcester: Worcester: C Pennell, P Humphreys, A Beck, J Lance, T Howe, D Weir, F Hougaard, C Black, N Annett (captain), N Schonert, A Bresler, G Kitchener, T Hill, S Lewis, C Du Preez. Replacements: I Miller, E Waller, R Palframan, J Clegg, GJ van Velze, M Heaney, N Heward, N David.
Referee: Ludovic Cayre (France)
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