Pat Lam is backing Rory Parata to seize his chance at Connacht after the academy centre was handed his first GUINNESS PRO12 start ahead of the clash with Newport Gwent Dragons.

There will also be a first Connacht cap for former Auckland flanker Nepia Fox-Matamua, while Ben Marshall is likely to make his maiden appearance off the bench after moving from Leinster.

The trio will be looking to help the Irish province keep hold of their Indian sign over the Dragons, having beaten them in their last five attempts.

The omens continue to bode well for Connacht considering that they have emerged victorious from Round 1 four of the last five years – not that Lam is taking anything for granted.

“I’m delighted for young Rory Parata who has had a good off-season and impressed in the warm-up games,” said Lam. “It just highlights that if you put the work in your chance will come.

“It’s always a tight and physical battle with the Dragons and we’re expecting nothing different with both sides looking to get off to a flying start.”

Indeed the Dragons ended last season showing signs of a team that are on the up with four victories from the last six of their 2014/15 campaign.

Lyn Jones has continued to reinforce his squad over the summer and five new players will make their bow against Connacht, including South African scrum-half Sarel Pretorius.

Tyler Morgan will take his place among the replacements after returning from Wales’ World Cup training camp, and Jones says the Dragons are intent on producing players of the same ilk as the 19-year-old centre.

“This is my first season at the Dragons with a squad I feel comfortable with. It’s my design,” said Jones.

“We had to change course when I came in because what the Dragons were doing was not working. The squad was perhaps not up to standard to deal with the challenges that the league can offer.

“We changed course and invested heavily in some youth. The measurement is not just about finishing higher up in the league and winning silverware, it’s about producing young boys going on to play for Wales and that’s something we are very much aware of.

“It’s going to take time. We have planted the seeds in the right areas, we just have to give time for young players to grow.

“We know we have got the right plan, we know we are going in the right direction and we are very happy with the work we are doing in securing the future for Gwent Dragons on the field.”

At Sportsground, 7:30pm.

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 7th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Leo Colgan, Mark Connolly (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: John Cole (IRFU)

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