Dragons v Scarlets team news as Wales star makes timely return in boost for Warren Gatland

Harri Ackerman makes his first senior start for the hosts

Sam Costelow has returned for Scarlets to face Dragons on New Year's Day at Rodney Parade (KO 5.15pm).

The Parc y Scarlets prospect has been touted as a future replacement to Wales legend Dan Biggar, who has left a glaring gap in the fly-half position, especially as Gareth Anscombe has now ventured overseas and will be unavailable until next summer. Costelow was injured against Barbarians but is now back in action ahead of the Six Nations.

Following their battering at the hands of Cardiff, the Dragons have made eight changes to the team, which will feature a first ever senior start for Harri Ackerman.

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For Dan Flanagan's men Cai Evans, Jared Rosser and Ewan Rosser form the back three. Ackerman will line up in midfield alongside Aneurin Owen. Rhodri Williams and Will Reed make up the half-back pairing.

In the pack, Rodrigo Martinez, James Benjamin and Lloyd Fairbrother make up the front row. In the boiler house, Sean Lonsdale and George Nott pair up. In the loose forward trio Aaron Wainwright, Harri Keddie and Dan Lydiate link up.

For Scarlets, Costelow returns at fly-half and is joined by Gareth Davies in the half-backs. Ioan Lloyd shifts to 15, and is flanked by Tom Rogers and Steff Evans. The centre partnership sees Johnny Williams and Joe Roberts link up.

In the forwards, Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Elias and Sam Wainwright pack down together in the front row. Alex Craig and Morgan Jones are in the second row. Sam Lousi and Josh Macleod occupy the flanker positions, with Vaea Fifita at Number Eight.

Dragons: Cai Evans, Jared Rosser, Aneurin Owen, Harri Ackerman, Ewan Rosser, Will Reed, Rhodri Williams (C), Rodrigo Martinez, James Benjamin, Lloyd Fairbrother, Sean Lonsdale, George Nott, Dan Lydiate, Harri Keddie, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Rhodri Jones, Leon Brown, Joe Davies, Ryan Woodman, Ollie Griffiths, Dane Blacker, Corey Baldwin.

Scarlets: Ioan Lloyd; Tom Rogers, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams, Steff Evans; Sam Costelow, Gareth Davies; Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Elias, Sam Wainwright, Alex Craig, Morgan Jones, Sam Lousi, Josh Macleod (C), Vaea Fifita.

Replacements: Shaun Evans, Wyn Jones, Joe Jones, Jac Price, Ben Williams, Kieran Hardy, Jonathan Davies, Ioan Nicholas.