Dragons v Gloucester: Teams

The Dragons have been boosted by news Aled Brew has been cleared to play against Gloucester in the LV= Cup.

The winger had been training with the Wales squad ahead of the autumn internationals, but he has now been released for the match.

The inclusion of Brew is one of a number of changes by coach Paul Turner, with hooker Tom Willis returning to skipper the squad.

Former Wasps No.8 Hugo Ellis replaces Toby Faleta after the teenager was called up to the Wales squad, while Robin Sowden-Taylor and Scott Morgan also come into the pack.

James Leadbeater and Matthew Jones team up at half-back, while Rhodri Gomer-Davies starts at outside centre and Matthew Pewtner comes in on the wing

Centre Tom Cooper, back row Jevon Groves, fly-half Steffan Jones, prop Dan Way and utility back Gareth Williams may get rare run-outs from the bench.

Former Dragon Peter Buxton will return to Rodney Parade as captain of Gloucester for Thursday night's clash.

Buxton joins summer signing Matt Cox, who will make his first start, and Akapusi Qera in the back-row.

There is also first starts for scrum-half Jordi Pasqualin and second row Dan Williams, who had been on loan at London Welsh.

Coach Bryan Redpath has opted to mix youth with experience in the backs, with internationals Olly Morgan, Lesley Vainikolo and Tom Voyce teaming up with rising stars Henry Trinder, Jonny May, Freddie Burns and Pasqualin.

Dragons: 15 Pat Leach, 14 Adam Hughes, 13 Rhodri Gomer-Davies, 12 Ashley Smith, 11 Matthew Pewtner, 10 Matthew Jones, 9 James Leadbeater, 8 Hugo Ellis, 7 Robin Sowden-Taylor, 6 Lewis Evans, 5 Scott Morgan, 4 Adam Jones, 3 Pat Palmer,2 Tom Willis (c), 1 Hugh Gustafson.
Replacements: 16 Lloyd Burns, 17 Dan Way, 18 Nigel Hall, 19 Rob Sidoli, 20 Jevon Groves, 21 Gareth Williams, 22 Tom Cooper, 23 Steffan Jones.

Gloucester: 15 Olly Morgan, 14 Tom Voyce, 13 Henry Trinder, 12 Jonny May, 11 Lesley Vainikolo, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Jordi Pasqualin, 8 Matt Cox, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Peter Buxton (c), 5 Alex Brown, 4 Dan Williams, 3 Pierre Capdevielle, 2 Olivier Azam, 1 Alasdair Dickinson.
Replacements: 16 Darren Dawidiuk, 17 Yann Thomas, 18 Rupert Harden, 19 Jim Hamilton, 20 Luke Narraway, 21 Rory Lawson, 22 Tim Taylor, 23 Charlie Sharples.