Connacht head coach Pat Lam believes a rejuvenated Newport Gwent Dragons will prove a tough challenge for his side in their GUINNESS PRO12 opening fixture at the Sportsground. After beating the Dragons at Rodney Parade at the end of March, Connacht concluded the season with an unwanted run of five successive defeats. The Welsh region endured an even tougher time as only a 20-19 victory over Treviso in round 22 ended a seven game winless run in the competition. In response the Dragons made a host of signings over the summer including new captain Lee Byrne and looked impressive in a 27-25 win against Northampton Saints in pre-season. Yet Lam insists his side are confident of continuing their remarkable opening-day record that has seen them win three of their last four first round encounters. "We have prepared well but we know Dragons will be no pushover,” said Lam. “They have recruited well in the summer and are coming here on the back of a huge win last week against the Northampton Saints, the current Premiership champions who had their full squad out. “That shows exactly where they are at and they'll be tough opponents for a lot of teams this year including us tomorrow. "But we are still confident of getting off to a winning start at the Sportsground. “Having a good home record is vital to us so the key thing is to channel all our excitement, effort, fight and desire to win at home into the process of winning the game." Lam’s young side is supplemented by the experience of captain John Muldoon at blindside flanker and tight-head prop Nathan White. Lock Quinn Roux, scrum-half Ian Porter and wing Niyi Adeolokun all make their competitive Connact debuts while New Zealander Jake Heenan returns following shoulder surgery. Jack Carty is given the nod at fly-half while Shane Layden, from Carrick-on-Shannon, has been named at full back. Dragons director of rugby Lyn Jones has selected a side similarly infused with youth and experience as Byrne makes his debut alongside Boris Stankovich, Lloyd Fairbrother, Rynard Landman and Andy Powell. Wings Tom Prydie and the recently-returned Aled Brew complete an international back three while Jack Dixon and Tyler Morgan form a new-look centre pairing. Dragons' highest points scorer Jason Tovey retains the No.10 jersey as Jonathan Evans is named at scrum-half. And Jones says his side are well-prepared following the upheaval at Rodney Park over the summer. "People have applied themselves,” said Jones. "We've adapted very well to the new facilities, the new training regime, higher standards of fitness [and] higher standards of training. "With that comes better players and better performances. "Rugby is about being confident and if you can have a good start in September everything carries through." At Sportsground, 5pm. Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR, 30th competition game) Assistant Referees: Leo Colgan, Mark Connolly (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: Wayne Sheridan (IRFU) Follow us on Facebook, join the conversation on Twitter, sign up to ourYouTube channel for extensive match highlights and sign up for ournewsletterfor regular updates on the GUINNESS PRO12
