Dragons flanker Colin Charvis starts on the bench against his former club © Getty Images

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Matches: Dragons 25 - 14 Newcastle Falcons

Tournaments/Tours: Anglo-Welsh Cup

Teams: Dragons | Newcastle Falcons

Newcastle Falcons have handed a starting debut to former England rugby league wing Danny Williams as they visit Welsh side Newport Gwent Dragons in the Anglo-Welsh Cup. The former Leeds Rhinos man starts in a Newcastle side playing its third game in just eight days, with director of rugby Steve Bates also welcoming back former Dragons and Scotland flanker Ross Beattie from an ankle injury.

England Under-18s flanker Will Welch makes his first team debut on the openside flank, while England Sevens scrum half Micky Young comes in for his first start of the season.

Speaking ahead of his side's Cup opener, Bates said: "We have freshened the team up for this game after two physical matches in the space of just four days against Bristol and Gloucester, and we are looking forward to seeing how this group performs.

"Despite a number of changes we still have a big, physical pack and plenty of threat in the backs. We know the Dragons will provide tough opposition, especially down here in Wales, but this team is relishing the challenge."

Newport Gwent Dragons Head Coach Paul Turner makes 12 changes to the team that beat Edinburgh at home in the Magners League last week. Dragons skills and defence coach Colin Charvis has been named on the bench for the first time this season against his former club.

Charvis' experience and outstanding commitment has long proved a huge boost for the region who were delighted when the 35-year-old stayed on as contact and defence skills coach for his third season at Rodney Parade.

Ebbw Vale prop Anthony Lott will start for the region tomorrow while Lloyd Burns from Welsh premiership side Cross Keys and Newport prop Alex Murphy will be looking for their first competitive regional action from the replacements bench.

Head Coach Paul Turner is looking forward to Charvis' return against his former team on Friday and hopes that the fans will get behind the region for this great rugby occasion.

He said, "When we sat down in the summer, it was always envisaged that Colin would have some game time. He played a small part in our pre-season game against Bedford in August and has kept himself in condition with a game in Tonga and more recently the Help for Heroes game at Twickenham.

"Colin is well aware of the challenge that any Anglo-Welsh fixture brings and this fixture provides an extra incentive against one of his former teams.

"Colin and everyone involved here are well aware that we need to turn Rodney Parade into a fortress and last Friday night against Edinburgh showed us again that the crowd can become and extra man for the team following a win.

"This Friday against the old enemy is no different and as with our previous wins in the EDF against Leicester, Northampton and Worcester, the fans can play a significant part."

Turner said of his Premiership recruits, "This week Anthony and Alex were brought into the squad. It's a great environment to stake a claim for being a professional and, having talked to both of them, they definitely won't let us down.

"Lloyd Burns also has a great opportunity tomorrow evening and as he's been training with us this season it's great to see."

Newport Gwent Dragons: Phillip Dollman, Tal Selley, Rhodri Gomer Davies, Marc Stcherbina (c), Gareth Wyatt, Jason Tovey, Robert Lewis, Hugh Gustafson, Steve Jones, Anthony Lott, Andrew Hall, Adam Jones, Danny Lydiate, Jamie Ringer, Lewis Evans

Replacements: Lloyd Burns, Adam Black, Alex Murphy, Adam Brown, Colin Charvis Thomas Isaacs, Shaun Connor

Newcastle Falcons: Steve Jones, Ollie Phillips, Tom Dillon, Spencer Davey, Danny Williams, Rory Clegg, Micky Young, Jon Golding, Rob Vickers, Micky Ward, Sean Tomes, Tim Swinson, Ross Beattie, Will Welch, Russell Winter

Replacements: Andy Long, Joe McDonnell, Andy Perry, Ed Williamson, Hall Charlton, Tom May, Tim Visser