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Here are your rugby evening headlines for Friday, April 10.
Powerful forward ruled out as Dragons fly the Welsh flag in Europe
Dragons lock Levi Douglas has been ruled out of his side’s EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-final against Zebre in Parma.
The powerful second-row got forced off the field with a HIA during the Dragons’ famous victory over Stade Francais in Paris on Easter Sunday.
As a result former Wales U20s captain Ryan Woodman moves to lock with Harrisson Keddie coming into the backrow and Shane Lewis-Hughes named among the replacements.
Angus O’Brien will captain the side from full-back with David Richard and Rio Dyer making up the back-three.
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Aneurin Owen and Fine Inisi form a powerful centre partnership while Tinus de Beer and Niall Armstrong are the half-backs.
Up-front Rodrigo Martinez, Brodie Coghlan and Chris Coleman make up the front-row with Ben Carter partnering Woodman in the second-row.
Aaron Wainwright and Thomas Young join Keddie in the backrow.
“Selection as well has been challenging,” said Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia.
“Players are playing well and putting their hand up to say ‘pick me’.
“It’s a good headache. Everybody’s fighting for a job, they want to wear the jersey and there’s a quarter-final in the European Challenge Cup at stake.”
The Dragons are the last Welsh club left standing in Europe this season and are aiming to reach the semi-final for the first time in 11 years.
If they overcome Zebre they will face the winners of Montpellier v Connacht away from home in the semi-finals.
“If we go back to where we started, to where we are now, we’re miles ahead,” said Tiatia.
“We’re a different team and working on the things that are important for us but also the people of Gwent, who we represent.
“The performances we try and put together is one they’re proud of and will latch onto, so that people that don’t know anything around Gwent or the game itself, they can still get fascinated about.
“They can see these guys scrap for each other and that’s what galvanises and attracts people. It sounds simple but it’s very meaningful for this group.
“We are proud of the performance last weekend and have now got the opportunity to impose ourselves again. We’re lucky to have another chance.”
Dragons: O’Brien (co-capt); Richards, Inisi, Owen, Dyer; de Beer, Armstrong; Martinez, Coghlan, Coleman, Woodman, Carter (co-capt), Keddie, Young, Wainwright. Replacements: Dee, W Jones, James, S Davies, Lewis-Hughes, M Lloyd, Paea, Anderson.
Wales call-up reinforcement ahead of big kick-off after star ruled out
Sean Lynn has called up right-wing Catherine Richards into Wales’ Six Nations squad ahead of tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations opener against Scotland.
Richards replaces Savannah Picton-Powell who has been withdrawn from the squad with a shoulder injury.
Lynn has opted to include two new caps in Wales’ starting XV with second-row Jorja Aiono and wing Seren Singleton handed their Test debuts.
Kate Williams has been named as captain with Hannah Dallavalle set to win her 70th cap.
“Jorja and Seren fully deserve this opportunity and have impressed in the Celtic Challenge and in camp,” said head coach Lynn.
“Jorja has a real physicality and edge to her game that we need and Seren’s work-ethic and willingness to put her body on the line for the cause are the attributes we are looking for.”
Wales U18s make changes to side for Six Nations finale
Highly-rated Cardiff openside Alfie Prygodzicz has been called back into the Wales U18s starting XV to captain the side against Spain U18 on Saturday.
Richie Pugh’s side started the U18s Six Nations Festival with a comfortable victory over Scotland U18s before slipping to a narrow defeat to France U18s.
Alfie Prygodzicz made an impact as a replacement against France but has been named to start this time around.
Pugh has made a further two changes to his matchday 23 with Ospreys prop Mason James and Cardiff’s Alex Ballinger named on the bench.
Sam Morgan, Ryley Fussell and Harvey Bryant make up the back-three with Owen Lewis and Harry Kinsey in midfield.
Scrum-half Alfie Luger and outside-half Will Ford are named as the half-backs.
Up-front Brayan Kamanga, Tiaan Hall and Sam Bryant make up the front-row with Harri Lewis and Williams Carroll at lock.
Will Watkins, Prygodzicz and Mosese Tuliakiono form a strong back-row trio.
Wales U18s: Sam Morgan; Ryley Fussell, Harry Kinsey, Owen Lewis, Harvey Bryant; Will Ford, Alfie Luger; Brayan Kamanga, Tiaan Hall, Sam Bryant, Harri Lewis, William Carroll, Will Watkins, Alfie Prygodzicz (captain), Mosese Tuliakiono. Replacements: Cole Lacey, Logan Goodluck, Mason James, Harvey Thomas, Harvey Ballinger, Rhys Owen, George Thomas, Madoc Evans, Will Adams, Dylan Quin, Jac Williams.
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