The Southern Kings are in Wales to take on the Dragons at Rodney Parade in a bid for their first win of the Guinness PRO14 season on Saturday.

What’s at stake?

Both sides are trying to find a footing in Conference B, making a victory here imperative in their bid to climb up the standings.

The Dragons will want to dust themselves off from Ulster’s ruthless display last week, whilst Southern Kings will want to build on their brief comeback against Zebre in the second half of their clash.

Team news (Dragons):

Bernard Jackman has stuck very closely to the side that produced a victory at home to Connacht.

Carl Meyer returns to the back three, with centre partnership Tyler Morgan and Jack Dixon getting the nod, whilst Gavin Henson will pull the strings at fly-half.

In the pack, Elliot Dee, Brok Harris and Lee Brown make up the Dragons’ front row, captain Cory Hill is joined by Matthew Screech as flankers James Thomas and Ollie Griffiths are anchored by James Benjamin at No.8

Team news (Southern Kings):

Head coach Dean Davids makes three changes in the backline, with Jacques Nel, veteran Alshaun Bock and Godlen Masimla coming into the starting line-up.

The back row has also been reshuffled with Andile Ntsila switching from No.8 to the blindside, with Jurie Van Vuuren and No.8 Dries Van Schalkwyk making up the trio.

Prop Entienne Swanepoel returns from a compulsory break due to concussion to take his place on the bench, and Michael Willemse captains the side from the front row.

Talking points: Southern Kings are still searching for their first-ever victory in the Guinness PRO14 competition and go into the match with everything to gain.

And Dragons scrum-half Sarel Pretorious said: “They have nothing to lose and that sort of team is always dangerous, so we can’t just say ‘it’s the Kings, they are new to the competition, they are vulnerable.

“They will be targeting us and we have to stick to our guns and do what we need to.

“We know their threats – they have a very good back three so we have to tidy up any loose kicks because they will punish us.”

Key Battle: Gavin Henson vs Pieter-Steyn de Wet

Henson will be aware that any loose kicks to the Kings’ pacy back three will be dangerous during the game, but will be keen to bring Welsh flyer Hallam Amos into the game on the wing.

Pieter-Steyn de Wet meanwhile, who marked his PRO14 debut last week, will want build on a promising second-half performance from his side at Zebre.

Key Stat: The Dragons have not won successive Guinness PRO14 matches at Rodney Parade since last November.

Dragons: Carl Meyer, Ashton Hewitt, Tyler Morgan, Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos, Gavin Henson, Sarel Pretorius, Brok Harris, Elliot Dee, Leon Brown, Matthew Screech, Cory Hill (c), James Thomas, Ollie Griffiths, James Benjamin.

Replacements: Ellis Shipp, Thomas Davies, Lloyd Fairbrother, Joe Davies, Aaron Wainwright, Dane Blacker, Angus O’Brien, Thretton Palamo.

Southern Kings: Masixole Banda; Yaw Penxe, Jacques Nel, Berton Klaasen, Alshaun Bock; Pieter Steyn de Wet, Godlen Masimla; Schalk Ferreira, Michael Willemse (c), Martin Dreyer, Stephan Greeff, Bobby de Wee, Andisa Ntsila, Jurie van Vuuren, Dries van Schalkwyk

Replacements: Stephan Coetzee, Rossouw de Klerk, Entienne Swanepoel, Lubabalo Mtyanda, Khaya Majola, Rowan Gouws, Oliver Zono, Luzuko Vulindlu.

TV: Live on S4C (KO 7.35pm local)

Match officials – Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU), AR1: Dan Wilkinson (IRFU), AR2: Gareth John (WRU) TMO: Kevin Biggs (IRFU)