He will start for Newport Gwent Dragons who take on Glasgow Warriors at Rodney Parade on Sunday (KO 14:30).
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Director of rugby Lyn Jones has brought the experienced prop in, to cover the recent spate of injuries and illnesses that have taken over his pack. Bell, who is currently head coach at Lydney, said: “I am over the moon to be coming back to play rugby after recently retiring.
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The 39-year-old has joined Newport Gwent Dragons until the end of the season along with Bruce Douglas who is on loan from Bristol. They are both included in this weekend’s squad to face Glasgow Warriors.
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There have been six changes to the team that took on Leinster last week with two of these being positional. 26-year-old Rhys Jones gets his second start of the season for the Dragons as he takes on the role of fullback. He is joined in the back three alongside wingers Matthew Pewtner and Will Harries who both retain their places from the clash against Leinster. The centre pairing of Pat Leach and Ashley Smith also remains unchanged alongwith Jason Tovey as fly-half and Richie Rees as scrumhalf.Â
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In the front row there is one change made as experienced Duncan Bell makes his first start for the Welsh region alongside hooker T. Rhys Thomas and prop Owen Evans. Dragons skipper Andrew Coombs returns to the fold after being released from the Wales team, he is partnered alongside Cory Hill in the second row. The back row takes on the form of Jevon Groves, Nic Cudd and Lewis Evans moves to number 8.
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There have been five changes made to the bench as Hugh Gustafson, Phil Price, Bruce Douglas, Ieuan jones and Dorian Jones are all slotted in alongside Matthew Screech, Wayne Evans and Ross Wardle.
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Dragons Rhys Jones, Matthew Pewtner, Pat Leach, Ashley Smith, Will Harries, Jason Tovey, Richie Rees; Owen Evans, T. Rhys Thomas, Duncan Bell, Andrew Coombs (Capt), Cory Hill, Jevon Groves, Nic Cudd, Lewis Evans.
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Replacements:
Hugh Gustafson, Phil Price, Bruce Douglas, Matthew Screech, Ieuan Jones, Wayne Evans, Dorian Jones, Ross Wardle.
Dragons prop rings a Bell
Former England prop Duncan Bell makes an unexpected return to rugby after retiring from the game last season.