They may be missing six Wales squad members and have another half-a-dozen players on the injury list, but Dragons’ captain Angus O’Brien still believes there is enough strength in depth in the current squad to end the first block of BKT United Rugby Championship matches on a high.
The ‘Men of Gwent’ host winless Zebre at Rodney Parade (Saturday, 31 October – 5.30pm) and O’Brien is back to lead the side after overcoming an injury. With a win and a draw under their belts from four games to date they go into the game in 12th place.
“We’ve developed competition right throughout the squad over the past couple of years. We want as many boys in the Wales set-up as possible and it’s really exciting to see those names in there because they have worked their socks off,” said O’Brien.
“For those of us playing at the weekend it’s about stepping up and feeling confident we have the ability across the squad to do that.”
The Dragons won twice in Parma in April when they backed up a Challenge Cup quarter-final victory with a last-minute league success. The Italians haven’t won in the URC since 5 October, 2025.
“Zebre’s results don’t reflect their performances. They are a dogged side who are difficult to put away,” said Dragons’ attack coach Matt O’Brien.
“They play some expansive rugby and it will be a challenge, but hopefully we can repeat the results from last season.”
Back row man Harri Keddie will make his 150th appearance for the Dragons at when he starts at No 8. Six members of Dragons’ 23 are yet to feature this season – starting wing David Richards and replacements Nick Thomas, Sam Scarfe, Morgan Lloyd, Cai Evans and Joe Westwood.
TEAMS
Dragons: Angus O’Brien (captain), David Richards, Fine Inisi, Fetuli Paea, Anzelo Tuitavuki, Tinus de Beer, Rhodri Williams; Jordan Morris, Elliot Dee, Chris Coleman, Barny Langton-Cryer, Matthew Screech, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Evan Minto, Harrison Keddie
Reps: Brodie Coghlan, Rodrigo Martinez, Owain James, Nick Thomas, Sam Scarfe, Morgan Lloyd, Cai Evans, Joe WestwoodZebre: Giovanni Montemauri; Leonardo Sodo Migliori, Marco Zanon, Riccardo Casarin, Simone Gesi; Giacomo Da Re, Thomas Dominguez; Sergio Pelliccioli, Giampietro Ribaldi, Juan Barbotti, Francesco Ruffolo, Leonard Krumov, Giacomo Ferrari (captain), Bautista Stavile, Davide Ruggeri
Reps: Francisco Minervino, Federico Pisani, Octavio Barbatti, Matteo Canali, Jacopo Botturi, Patricio Baronio Guana, Jacopo Trulla, Tobias WadeReferee: Griffin Colby (South Africa)