Gloucester v Dragons: Teams

Dragons centre Ashley Smith has been handed the captaincy for Saturday's EDF Energy trip to Kingsholm, where the Welsh side take on Gloucester.

Having joined the Dragons from their academy back in 2005 Smith has become an integral player for the Gwent region and has been rewarded for his efforts by coach Paul Turner.

"From an early age Ashley has proved to be a natural leader. He is a strong and physical inside centre who organises the team and players around him," said Turner.

"He is a dedicated individual with skills in both defence and attack and a great example of the natural progression within the region from academy level to senior squad, through to European Cup selection and eventual captaincy."

Having gone down to Bath in the Heineken Cup last weekend the Dragons show a number of changes for the trip over the Severn Bridge.

Steve Jones comes in at hooker, for club captain Tom Willis, whilst Andy Hall comes in for the rested Luke Charteris at second row.

Ryan changes

Behind the scrum Shaun Connor comes in at fly-half, and has a back line outside him that includes Tal Selley and exciting young full-back Phil Dollman.

Dean Ryan has been forced to make a number of changes to the Gloucester side that lost to Cardiff last weekend, although keeps the bulk of those on display at the Millennium Stadium.

At half-back, Rory Lawson will partner Willie Walker after injuries ruled our Ryan Lamb (pelvis) and Gareth Cooper (neck).

James Simpson-Daniel will undergo surgery on damaged ligaments in his right ankle next week which means Mark Foster comes in on the wing. He will complete a back three alongside full-back Iain Balshaw, who has scored five tries in his last three appearances, and Lesley Vainikolo.

Mike Tindall will skipper the side from centre alongside Olly Barkley, who will wear the number twelve shirt.

Ryan has also made changes to his forward pack. Alasdair Dickinson, impressive against the Blues, will line-up alongside fellow Scotland international, hooker Scott Lawson, who will make his second start in Gloucester colours, and tight-head prop Carlos Nieto.

Adam Eustace will start for the first time this season in the second row alongside Marco Bortolami after a foot injury ruled out Alex Brown.

Gloucester: 15 Iain Balshaw, 14 Mark Foster, 13 Mike Tindall (c), 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Lesley Vainikolo, 10 Willie Walker, 9 Rory Lawson, 8 Alasdair Strokosch, 7 Andy Hazell, 6 Peter Buxton, 5 Marco Bortolami, 4 Adam Eustace, 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Alasdair Dickinson.
Replacements: 16 Andy Titterrell, 17 Jack Forster, 18 Dan Williams, 19 Apo Satala, 20 Dave Lewis, 21 Tristan Roberts, 22 Jack Adams.

Dragons: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Tal Selley, 13 Rhodri Gomer Davies, 12 Ashley Smith (c), 11 Richard Fussell, 10 Shaun Connor, 9 Wayne Evans, 8 Grant Webb, 7 Richard Parks, 6 Danny Lydiate, 5 Andy Hall, 4 Adam Jones, 3 Rhys Thomas, 2 Steve Jones, 1 Adam Black.
Replacements: 16 Tom Willis, 17 Alex Murphy, 18 Joe Bearman, 19 Jamie Ringer, 20 Gareth Maule, 21 Jason Tovey, 22 Tom Isaacs.