The Dragons will start with a free-to-enter game against Glasgow Warriors at Eugene Cross Park, Ebbw Vale on Friday, 25 August (kick-off 2.00pm) with the PRO12 champions the Scarlets, Ospreys and Cardiff Blues in action later on in the day.
The Dragons launch their campaign at home against Leinster next week and new head coach Bernard Jackman has put his players though a rigorous pre-season that has already included games against Montpellier, Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs. He welcomes back Welsh internationals Tyler Morgan and Ollie Griffiths for the game against the Warriors.
Ebbw Vale favourite Ashley Sweet will return to his former stamping ground in a second row that also comprises Matthew Screech. James Thomas will captain the side and Wales Under 18 star Lennon Greggains, recently returned from South Africa, is named on the bench.
The Blues host reigning English champions Exeter Chiefs at Cardiff Arms Park (kick-off 7.15pm – Ticket Details Here) with a side that shows 13 changes to the one that beat London Scottish last week. Hat-trick hero Aled Summerhill retains his place in a aside that will be captained by Wales summer tourist Ellis Jenkins.
Other internationals who faced Tonga and Samoa in June include Seb Davies and Josh Navidi, while Tomos Williams is on the bench. Former Wales Sevens cap Damian Welch will make his Blues debut in the second row against his old club.
The Scarlets head to Kingsholm to face Gloucester (kick-off 7.45pm) having already picked up one win in the west country already this month with their victory at Bristol last weekend. Wayne Pivac is building towards an opening day game against PRO14 new boys the Southern Kings at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday, 2 September (kick-off 5.30pm).
Pivac has picked nine internationals in his starting XV, which is led by Scott Williams. There is an all international front five with Wyn Jones, Samson Lee and Ryan Elias packing down in the front row and the fit-again Jake Ball making a welcome return alongside Aaron Shingler in the second row.
The Ospreys, meanwhile, face a second game against Leicester Tigers this month with a return trip to Welford Road (kick-off 7.45pm). The Tigers won the opening game at Bridgend and Steve Tandy’s men were beaten 28-14 at the Liberty Stadium last weekend by Bath .
Dragons (v Glasgow Warriors): Zane Kirchner; Ashton Hewitt, Tyler Morgan, Sam Beard, Hallam Amos; Angus O’Brien, Sarel Pretorius; Brok Harris, Elliot Dee, Leon Brown, Matthew Screech, Ashley Sweet, James Thomas (captain), Ollie Griffiths, James Benjamin.
Reps: Rhys Buckley, Thomas Davies, Lloyd Fairbrother, Lennon Greggains, Nic Cudd, Charlie Davies, Dorian Jones, Adam Warren, Adam Hughes, Jarred Rosser, Pat Howard
Cardiff Blues (v Exeter Chiefs): Matthew Morgan; Alex Cuthbert, Garyn Smith, Willis Halaholo, Aled Summerhill; Steven Shingler, Lloyd Williams; Rhys Gill, Matthew Rees, Taufa’ao Filise, Seb Davies, Damian Welch, Macauley Cook, Ellis Jenkins (captain), Josh Navidi
Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Corey Domachowski, Keiron Assiratti, James Down, Josh Turnbull, Tomos Williams, Jarrod Evans, Jack Roberts, Owen Lane, Tom James, Dan Fish
Scarlets (Gloucester): Johnny Mcnicholl; Tom Prydie, Hadleigh Parkes, Scott Williams (captain), Morgan Williams; Rhys Patchell, Gareth Davies; Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias, Samson Lee, Jake Ball, Tadhg Beirne, Aaron Shingler, Josh Macleod, Will Boyde
Reps: Emyr Phillips, Rob Evans, Werner Kruger, David Bulbring, Lewis Rawlins, John Barclay, Jonathan Evans, Rhys Jones, Paul Asquith, Aled Davies, Tom Grabham
Ospreys (v Leicester Tigers): Dan Evans; Keelan Giles, Cory Allen, Owen Watkin, Jeff Hassler; James Hook, Tom Habberfield (captain); Paul James, Sam Parry, Ma’afu Fia, Bradley Davies, Rory Thornton, Rob McCusker, Olly Cracknell, Dan Baker
Reps: Ifan Phillips, Nicky Smith, Rhodri Jones, Lloyd Ashley, Adam Beard, Matthew Aubrey, Joe Thomas, Ben John, Gareth Thomas, Sam Cross, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Tom Williams, Jay Baker, James Ratti
