Welsh International, Luke Charteris, captains the side in the absence of Willis, while experienced Kiwi, Danny Lee starts in the number 9 shirt.
Elsewhere in the side Rhodri Gomer-Davies returns, having recover from a knock sustained in the London Irish game, to start and Robin Sowden-Taylor gets the nod over fellow international Gavin Thomas.
Dragons side to face Connacht tomorrow (17.30)
15 Jason Tovey
14 Will Harries
13 Rhodri Gomer-Davies
12 Tom Riley
11 Aled Brew
10 Matthew Jones
9 Danny Lee
1 Hugh Gustafson
2 Steve Jones
3 Ben Castle
4 Luke Charteris (CAPT)
5 Scott Morgan
6 Joe Bearman
7 Robin Sowden-Taylor
8 Hugo Ellis
Replacements:
16 Lloyd Burns
17 Pat Palmer
18 Ali Mckenzie
19 Rob Sidoli
20 Danny Lydiate
21 Gavin Thomas
22 Nicky Griffiths
23 David Bishop