Cory Hill returns to captain the side at Kingsholm tomorrow night alongside fellow summer tourists Leon Brown and Hallam Amos to get some valuable minutes ahead of their Guinness PRO14 opener against Benetton Treviso on September 1. Elliot Dee is set to make his first preseason appearance from the bench against a strong Cherry and Whites side after an impressive summer.
Summer signing Brandon Nansen is named in the second row alongside Hill while Huw Taylor plays at blindside, with new cap Aaron Wainwright moving to openside. Hooker Richard Hibbard makes a return to Gloucester after his summer switch to Rodney Parade.
Tyler Morgan and Dafydd Howells will have a chance to impress from the start with 14-man bench in support.
Johan Ackermann has selected England outside-half Danny Cipriani and captain Willi Heinz in a Gloucester XV containing former Scarlets no.8 Ben Morgan.
Head Coach Jackman said: “We’ve gone with an extended squad to make sure we don’t have to overplay our front liners who we expect to play the opening round of the Guinness PRO14.
“We’ve selected a strong side and it’s great to see the likes of Cory Hill, Hallam Amos, Elliot Dee and Leon Brown back for their first game of the season. We’re looking forward to getting them involved.
“We watched Gloucester’s last game against Ulster when they got a great away win at the Kingspan Stadium,” added Jackman. “Like all Gallagher Premiership teams they have a strong squad so it provides a real test for us and the ideal preparation with the start of the new season just over a week away.”
Dragons: Jordan Williams, Dafydd Howells, Tyler Morgan, Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos, Josh Lewis, Rhodri Williams; Ryan Bevington, Richard Hibbard, Leon Brown, Brandon Nansen, Cory Hill (capt), Huw Taylor, Aaron Wainwright, Lewis Evans
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Brok Harris, Lloyd Fairbrother, Joe Davies, Matthew Screech, Nic Cudd, James Benjamin, Tavis Knoyle, Gavin Henson, Jarryd Sage, Tiaan Loots, George Gasson, Joe Goodchild, Will Talbot-Davies
Gloucester: Jason Woodward, Matt Banahan, Henry Trinder, Billy Twelvetrees, Ollie Thorley, Danny Cipriani, Willi Heinz (capt); Josh Hohneck, James Hanson, Fraser Balmain; Ed Slater, Mariano Galarza; Ruan Ackermann,. Lewis Ludlow, Ben Morgan
Replacements (16-23, no numbers onwards): 16. Franco Marais, 17. Alex Seville, 18. Ciaran Knight; 19. Gerbrandt Grobler, 20. Jake Polledri, 21. Ben Vellacott, 22. Lloyd Evans, 23. Henry Purdy, Todd Gleave, Freddie Clarke, Will Safe, Gareth Evans, Callum Braley, Owen Williams, Mark Atkinson, Charlie Sharples, Tom Hudson
