Wainwright Euro blow for Dragons a worry for Wales

European Challenge Cup: Lions v Dragons

Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg Date: Saturday, 18 January Kick off: 15:15 GMT

Coverage: Listen to commentary on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.

Dragons will be without injured Wales number eight Aaron Wainwright in the crucial European Challenge Cup game at Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Wainwright travelled to South Africa for the game that will determine which of the rivals reach the knockout stages.

But Dragons declared Wainwright's absence with a minor leg injury is only a precaution.

It will, however, be a fresh worry for Wales coach Warren Gatland with Taulupe Faletau's fitness also a concern in the build up to their 2025 Six Nations opener against France in Paris on Friday, 31 January.

In Wainwright's absence Dragons revamp their back row with Ryan Woodman and Shane Lewis-Hughes flanking number eight Taine Basham.

Aneurin Owen is back to lead Dragons from centre, one of seven starting changes made by interim head coach Filo Tiatia.

Full-back Huw Anderson and wing Ewan Rosser join Wales wing outcast Rio Dyer in the visitors's back three while Will Reed is back at fly-half.

George Nott packs down with Joe Davies at lock while Brodie Coghlan is hooker back up with prop Paula Latu also on the bench.

Three Dragons players were named in Gatland's squad - Wainwright, hooker Elliot Dee and scrum-half Rhodri Williams, the latter staying at home to recover from a minor knee niggle.

Dragons will aim to make it two Welsh sides from Pool Two in the last 16 with a winner-takes-all game with Lions in Johannesburg.

Filo Tiatia's side will need to avoid defeat and sneak into the knockout stages.

A draw would put them through on points difference, with a try bonus-point needed by the visitors if the Lions cross the Dragons line four times.

Tiatia said: "We have played Lions already this season, but we know they are a different beast at home.

"They will be hurting from the loss in Montpellier, and they are at home, so they understand the ground better than us.

"Lions are dangerous, a good counter attacking side with some quick backs and their centres are strong and get over the gain line.

"They have a hard running and big pack, so gain line is a real focus.

"It's going to be a challenge, but we are excited as a group to see what we can achieve and get into the game."

Lions: Quan Horn; Tapiwa Mafura, Henco van Wyk, Rynhardt Jonker, Edwill van der Merwel; Sam Francis, Morne van den Berg; Juan Schoeman, PJ Botha, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Etienne Oosthuizen, Darrien Landsberg, JC Pretorius, Ruan Venter, Francke Horn (capt).

Replacements: Jaco Visagie, SJ Kotze, RF Schoeman, Ruan Delport, Jarod Cairns, Nico Steyn, Gianni Lombard, Manuel Rass

Dragons: Huw Anderson; Rio Dyer, Joe Westwood, Aneurin Owen (capt), Ewan Rosser; Will Reed, Che Hope; Rodrigo Martinez, Elliot Dee, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, George Nott, Ryan Woodman, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Taine Basham

Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Paula Latu, Barny Langton-Cryer, George Young, Morgan Lloyd, Lloyd Evans, Harri Ackerman.

Referee: Evan Urruzmendi (FFR)

Assistant referees: Ludovic Cayre & Vincent Blasco Baque (FFR)

TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)