Dragons have surprises for Patchell in URC opener

Dragons have vowed they have some new tricks up their sleeve as they prepare for a swift reunion with coach Rhys Patchell after his summer move to Benetton.

The Rodney Parade club start the 2026-27 United Rugby Championship (URC) season at Treviso on Friday.

The Italians are starting a new era after the appointment of former Wales boss Wayne Pivac, who has brought in Patchell as one of his assistants.

The former fly-half was part-time kicking coach for Dragons and Wales in the past season.

"Patch was with us and understands some of the things that we are trying to grow," said Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia.

"We have a couple of things up our sleeve that we are trying to add to our game as well. We want to be different to last season in parts of our game."

Challenge Cup semi-finalists Dragons had a much-improved 2025-26 season in the URC with three wins and four draws, but still finished 15th.

Scarlets were a place above them courtesy of win count, meaning that the Rodney Parade club were Wales' lowest-ranked side for the 18th time in 23 campaigns.

Dragons, who have finished in the bottom two in every campaign since the current South Africa quartet joined the URC, must cope with greater expectations and chief executive Rhys Blumberg has set the target of pushing for the play-offs.

"We want to shift from where we have been on the ladder, we want to go up and the CEO has given his expectations," said Tiatia.

"We have to be in the scrap to be in the top eight and need to get things right in our game model. We are very committed to climbing the ladder."

Tonga wing Anzelo Tuitavuki, who helped Colomiers to promotion to France's Top 14 in the past season, makes his Dragons debut as a starter.

The Rodney Parade club are without their co-captains, lock Ben Carter and full-back Angus O'Brien, plus tight-head Dillon Lewis, who earned a Wales summer recall, and back-row forward Harri Keddie.

Lock Barny Langton-Cryer and number eight Evan Minto get starting chances after impressing in pre-season.

Rhodri Williams starts ahead of fit-again Che Hope at scrum-half, with summer signing Ereatara Enari set for several months out after hamstring surgery.

Benetton, who are without several leading Italy internationals after their summer exertions, give debuts to centre Francois Mey and loose-head prop Matias Medrano.

Lock Piero Gritti, back-row forward Antony Miranda and fly-half Jean Smith could also make their bows for the club from the bench.

Benetton: Gallagher; Mendy, Mey, Odogwu, Ratave; Umaga, Uren; Medrano, Bernasconi, Ferrari, Midena, Ruzza, Marini, Zuliani, Negri (capt).

Replacements: Gasperini, Nemer, Gallorini, Gritti, Miranda, Maile, Werchon, Smith.

Dragons: Anderson; Dyer, Inisi, Owen (co-capt), Tuitavuki; de Beer, R Williams; Martinez, Burrows, Coleman, Langton-Cryer, S Davies, Woodman, Young (co-capt), Minto.

Replacements: Dee, W Jones, Hunt, Lewis-Hughes, Beddall, Hope, J Lloyd, Paea.

Referee: Christopher Allison (South Africa)

Assistants: Alex Frasson & Dario Merli (Italy)

TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)