Dragons get chance to avenge Benetton hammering

Dragons insist revenge is not their motive after a record-breaking defeat in Treviso when they host Benetton in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

Filo Tiatia's men are hunting a fifth straight victory at Rodney Parade for the first time since between December 2019 and February 2020 when taking on the Italians on Saturday (17:30 GMT).

Dragons are on fine form on home soil – they have beaten Lyon, Connacht, Scarlets and Newcastle - but endured a 74-21 Challenge Cup hammering when the teams met at Stadio Monigo in January.

Benetton ran in 11 tries to score a record number of points against the Dragons and inflicted the third heaviest defeat in the Rodney Parade side's history.

"We have spoken about it, but not massively. I wouldn't say it was a case of a revenge mission, even if we were all very disappointed by that performance," said forwards coach Sam Hobbs.

"It was put to bed with our recent performances and at home we have been outstanding."

Head coach Tiatia left several key figures out for the trip to Italy and that decision was justified by an impressive home win against Newcastle six days later that secured a spot in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup.

The Dragons XV for this weekend features eight starters from the thrashing in Treviso while tight-head Chris Coleman makes a welcome return after the loss of Robert Hunt and Cebo Dlamini to injury.

The prop makes his first appearance since suffering a hamstring injury playing for Wales against South Africa in November.

The only other changes to the starting line-up from the last-minute defeat by Ospreys are also enforced with Shane Lewis-Hughes in at number eight for Harri Keddie and loose-head prop Rodrigo Martinez replacing Wyn Jones.

Dragons are without Wales internationals Aaron Wainwright and Ben Carter while Benetton are hit hard by the Six Nations.

Fourteen of their players were in the matchday squad for the Azzurri's defeat by France in Lille, although Hobbs warns they are still a force to be reckoned with.

"They have a good squad. I know they miss a few player because of Italy duty but they are still littered with internationals," he said.

"Up front they are always a tough test at the mauls and scrums. They have strong forwards and some X-factor backs."

Dragons start round 12 in 14th in the table and could go above 11th-placed Benetton with victory.

Full-back Matt Gallagher, centre Paolo Odogwu and back-row forwards Alessandro Izekor and Riccardo Favretto start after being released from Six Nations camp.

Dragons: O'Brien (capt); Richards, Inisi, Owen, Dyer; De Beer, Hope; Martinez, Coghlan, Coleman, Douglas, S Davies, Woodman, Beddall, Lewis-Hughes.

Replacements: Burrows, Morris, James, Langton-Cryer, Minto, R Williams, Paea, C Evans.

Benetton: Gallagher; Ratave, Odogwu, Fekitoa, Smith; Umaga, Uren (capt); Gallo, Bernasconi, Zilocchi, Marini, Snyman, Izekor, Kingi, Favretto.

Replacements: Gasperini, Aminu, Pasquali, Scrafton, Casartelli, Tizzano, Drago, Mendy.

Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)

Assistant referees: Adam Jones & Marcus Caudle (Wales)

TMO: Paul Haycock (Ireland)