The 22-year-old, who has played in all three of Dragons' EPCR Challenge Cup games this season, has been named in the back row with club mate Aaron Wainwright and Cardiff Rugby flanker Ellis Jenkins.

Jenkins’ Cardiff team-mate Tomos Williams starts at scrum-half in a half-back partnership with Northampton Saints and Wales captain Dan Biggar.

Louis Rees-Zammit, who dotted down in Gloucester Rugby’s 68-19 win over USAP last weekend, starts on the wing and in midfield Saracens centre Nick Tompkins partners Cardiff’s Josh Adams.

Ross Moriarty could make his 50th appearance for Wales if the Dragons flanker is brought off the bench, with Cardiff duo Dillon Lewis and Seb Davies joining him among the replacements.

Dragons flanker Taine Basham is in line for his Six Nations debut on Saturday as Wayne Pivac’s Wales side take on Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.