As the Newport outfit prepare for a do-or-die EPCR Challenge Cup clash against Newcastle at Rodney Parade on Friday night (20:00 GMT), with qualification for the knockout stages hanging in the balance, the head coach has again mixed up his line-up.
After rotating heavily for last weekend’s 74-21 defeat away to Benetton in Treviso, the Dragons head coach has reshaped his matchday line-up, this time restoring many of his most influential figures.
The scale of the changes underlines both the physical demands of the competition and the urgency of the task facing Dragons, who must win — ideally with a four-try bonus point — and then hope there is no draw between Perpignan and Lions when they meet in France on Saturday.
READ MORE: Dragons Finally Find Fire to Give Cardiff Some Heat Ahead of Boxing Day Derby
Wales number eight Aaron Wainwright headlines the returns, with the talisman back in the starting XV alongside lock Ben Carter, full-back Angus O’Brien, centres Aneurin Owen and Fine Inisi, and scrum-half Che Hope.
Wing Rio Dyer, loose-head prop Wyn Jones, hooker Brodie Coghlan and openside flanker Thomas Young also come into the side, meaning only four players — Ryan Woodman, Tinus de Beer, Dyer and David Richards — retain their places from the heavy defeat in Italy.
Coghlan’s inclusion marks his first start since suffering a hand injury on his return from making his Wales debut in the autumn, while Young makes his first start since Boxing Day. Woodman switches from blind-side flanker into the second row, partnering Carter, who will co-captain the side alongside O’Brien.
READ MORE: From Dire Year to Dyer-Inspired Victory . . . the Dragons May Finally be Stirring
Tiatia had made nine changes for the Benetton match, citing the six-day turnaround, and claimed the decision — though painful in hindsight — was part of a broader process of building depth and understanding within the squad.
“We made nine changes, and there are players who have worked really hard to get an opportunity to put the jersey on,” said Tiatia.
“We want to reward them, but also see where the gaps are, clearly, there were gaps but it’s an opportunity for learning, you need to expose them otherwise they stay the same and you don’t know where they are.”
They were certainly gaps - big ones, big enough to fit 74 points.
READ MORE: Dragons Finally Win a Game As Welsh Regions Prove They Still Have a Pulse in Europe
This week’s selection reflects a clear pivot back to experience and physicality as Dragons chase a place in the last 16.
They currently sit fifth in Pool Two on four points, two behind both Perpignan and Lions, who occupy the final qualifying positions.
A defeat or draw would end Dragons’ hopes, while even a win without a bonus point could still see them eliminated depending on results elsewhere.
Despite last weekend’s setback, Dragons take confidence from their recent home form. They have won their last three matches at Rodney Parade, including a stirring comeback victory over Lyon in the Challenge Cup and emphatic United Rugby Championship wins against Connacht and Scarlets.
Another victory would see them achieve four consecutive home wins for the first time since the 2019-20 season, before the Covid pandemic curtailed the campaign.
“We want to make the last 16 and we know when we're at home we need to front up for the fans - all the players wearing the jersey all know the expectations,” said Tiatia.
“We need to do justice to the jersey and then try and wear it for another week. That is earned, not given.
“I can't wait for the players to get amongst it. After the disappointment against Benetton, it's good to get back on the horse and get stuck in.”
Tiatia was keen to stress that home advantage alone will not be enough if standards drop, pointing to the need for intensity and accuracy from the opening whistle.
“We love playing at home, but it's only an advantage if we turn up,” he said.
“We're excited get back and our fans are awesome and great supporters of the team.
“We have lots to prove from last week, in terms of where we can get to, and we can't be defined by one performance.”
Newcastle arrive in Newport already assured of a place in the knockout stages and protecting an unbeaten group-stage record. They have made three changes to the side that beat Perpignan 26-19 last weekend, with number eight Freddie Lockwood returning from a broken hand, lock Jamie Hodgson back from suspension, and centre Cameron Hutchison replacing the concussed Oli Spencer.
The English Premiership side are coached by former Wales and Scarlets fly-half Stephen Jones, who insisted Newcastle remain fully committed despite qualification already being secured.
“The fact that we already have a home tie in the round of 16 is irrelevant, because we know that home advantage in the later rounds is huge if we are able to go deeper into the competition,” said Jones.
“Securing a higher seeding from the group stage gives us the best possible chance of achieving that, but it's also about maintaining our momentum.
“The Challenge Cup has been a great driver for us and I see it as a really important tournament, so we're fully committed to it.”
The fixture also carries broader significance for Welsh rugby. For only the second time, all four Welsh regions could reach the knockout stages of European competition, with Ospreys and Cardiff already through in the Challenge Cup and Scarlets still fighting on multiple fronts in the Champions Cup.
For Dragons, though, the equation is simple. After major changes for the second week running, Tiatia has placed his faith back in his senior core. Now his side must respond on the field — or see their European journey come to an end.
Dragons: Angus O'Brien (cc), David Richards, Fine Inisi, Aneurin Owen, Rio Dyer, Tinus De Beer, Che Hope; Wyn Jones, Brodie Coghlan, Robert Hunt, Ryan Woodman, Ben Carter (cc), Harri Keddie, Thomas Young, Aaron Wainwright
Replacements: George Roberts, Rodrigo Martinez, Cebo Dlamini, Levi Douglas, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Rhodri Williams, Harri Ackerman, Cai Evans
