WALES hooker Elliot Dee will make his first start of the season when the Dragons attempt to upset the odds at the Scarlets on New Year’s Day (kick-off 5.15pm).

The Rodney Parade club head to Llanelli in the United Rugby Championship after coming up short against Cardiff on Boxing Day.

The swift turnaround will stretch the Dragons while the Scarlets are helped by more rest and recovery having been edged out at the Ospreys before Christmas.

The management team tinker with the team but are still short of locks after Matthew Screech failed to get the all clear from a head injury, remaining on the sidelines with captain Ben Carter (knee), George Nott and Steve Cummins (both head).

That means that Joe Davies continues as the sole senior specialist with flanker Ryan Woodman, one of the star performers against Cardiff, alongside him and teenager Nick Thomas on the bench.

Dee made a first outing of the season as a replacement on Boxing Day and now gets the 2 jersey, swapping roles with Brodie Coghlan.

BACK: Shane Lewis-Hughes is recalled at blindside for the Dragons (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)

Shane Lewis-Hughes comes in for Dan Lydiate at blindside flanker to join Taine Basham and Aaron Wainwright in a strong back row while there is a rejig in the backs.

Cai Evans starts at full-back with Huw Anderson switching to the left wing and Jared Rosser starting at outside centre for the first time since the defeat at Ulster in April, 2023.

Tighthead Chris Coleman is declared fit to be on the bench after being a late withdrawal against the Blue and Blacks because of illness while loosehead Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, 21, is set for a senior debut as a replacement.

Australian centre Harry Wilson returns to the matchday 23 as the Dragons attempt to upset the odds and climb off the bottom of the URC.

Attack coach Matt O’Brien said: “We’re looking forward to getting back out on the field and improving on our last performance.

“There was a lot of good in the game with Cardiff, but also some clear areas that we need to address if we’re to get a positive result in Llanelli.

“Scarlets have had some good results this season, particularly at home where they have won the last three, stretching back to the start of October.

“We will need to be at our best, but it’s a New Year’s Day derby and challenge we are all looking forward to.”

The Scarlets are boosted by the return of Wales wing Blair Murray after a hamstring injury with Tom Rogers moving to full-back and Joe Roberts joining Johnny Williams in midfield.

Alec Hepburn starts at loosehead, Alex Craig gets the nod alongside Sam Lousi in the second row and Max Douglas shifts to blindside, with Vaea Fifita set to add oomph from the bench.

Scarlets: Tom Rogers; Ellis Mee, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams, Blair Murray; Sam Costelow, Gareth Davies; Alec Hepburn, Marnus van der Merwe, Henry Thomas, Alex Craig, Sam Lousi, Max Douglas, Josh Macleod (captain), Taine Plumtree.

Replacements: Shaun Evans, Kemsley Mathias, Archer Holz, Jarrod Taylor, Vaea Fifita, Archie Hughes, Ioan Lloyd, Eddie James.

Dragons: Cai Evans; Rio Dyer, Jared Rosser, Aneurin Owen, Huw Anderson; Angus O’Brien (captain), Rhodri Williams; Rodrigo Martinez, Elliot Dee, Dmitri Arhip, Joe Davies, Ryan Woodman, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Chris Coleman, Nick Thomas, Dan Lydiate, Che Hope, Will Reed, Harry Wilson.