In the backline, Andy Tuilagi misses out with a dead leg and is replaced by Adam Hughes at outside centre. Joe Bedford also gets a start at scum half ahead of Wayne Evans.
Jevon Groves is rested after his exploits for Cross Keys in their British & Irish Cup semi final win last weekend and is replaced by Lewis Evans at openside flanker.
The other changes come in the front row where Sam Parry makes his first senior start at Rodney Parade and Nathan Williams replaces Phil Price.
17 year old Hallam Amos is named among the replacements and could make his first senior Rodney Parade and RaboDirect PRO12 appearance if he comes off the bench. Hallam is rewarded for some impressive performances whilst away with the Wales Under-18s side who finished 4th in the FIRA European Championships last week. Scott Morgan is also on the bench having overcome a pectoral injury suffered against Exeter in December.
Newport Gwent Dragons Team
15 Will Harries
14 Tonderai Chavhanga
13 Adam Hughes
12 Ashley Smith
11 Aled Brew
10 Lewis Robling
9 Joe Bedford
1 Nathan Williams
2 Sam Parry
3 Nathan Buck
4 Luke Charteris (c)
5 Rob Sidoli
6 Danny Lydiate
7 Lewis Evans
8 Toby Faletau
Replacements
16 Steve Jones
17 Phil Price
18 Dan Way
19 Scott Morgan
20 Tom Brown
21 Wayne Evans
22 Jason Tovey
23 Hallam Amos
Guinness PRO12
Suite 208, Alexandra House,
The Sweepstakes
Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland