Dragons Vs Bulls: Dragons rest star trio for URC clash
dragons vs bulls is the central talking point at Rodney Parade on Friday evening, with Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia leaving out Wales number eight Aaron Wainwright and co-captains Angus O’Brien and Ben Carter for the United Rugby Championship home match. The game kicks off at 7: 45pm ET, as Dragons return to league duty after a demanding run of European matches and a first home fixture in Newport since February. Tiatia has made eight changes after the Zebre win, aiming to rotate and refresh the squad.
Eight changes as Dragons vs bulls brings a fresh selection call
The Dragons selection includes starts for Wales forwards Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones and Seb Davies, while Levi Douglas returns in the second row. Ryan Woodman shifts to flanker, joining Harry Beddall and Harrison Keddie, who captains the side from number eight. Fetuli Paea comes in for the injured Aneurin Owen, Jared Rosser replaces David Richards on the wing and Cai Evans is named at full-back.
On the bench, Dillon Lewis is in line to return after six months out injured, with Rhodri Jones also among the replacements. The side has been shaped by two six-day turnarounds and travel from wins over Stade Francais in France and Zebre in Italy, with another away semi-final against Montpellier set for 3 May. Tiatia said the team had celebrated the European success, but the focus now returns to the URC and the meeting with Bulls.
Dragons vs bulls: Bulls arrive with Springbok power
The Bulls bring a strong matchday group into Newport, with Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar, Ruan Nortje, Marcell Coetzee, Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw, Handre Pollard and Canan Moodie all named in the side. That gives Dragons a major test in the pack and in the backline, especially with the visitors retaining a core built around experience and control.
Tiatia said every week brings selection debates because players are putting their hands up and performing well. He added that once players wear the jersey, they need to fill it and hold onto it with strong performances. For Dragons, that message lands at a moment when the squad is trying to balance momentum from Europe with the realities of a league campaign that has been hard to build.
Home return adds urgency
Dragons sit 15th in the league, with only Zebre below them, but they return to a ground where results have been stronger. They are unbeaten in Newport since the end of November, with four wins and a draw, and only five home games have been staged in the past five months.
Tiatia said the fans have been awesome, and that support will matter again with dragons vs bulls set to test both discipline and depth. The next step is clear: Dragons must carry their European confidence into a league match that could help set the tone for the closing weeks of the season.
