Charvis called up for cup challenge

Newport Gwent Dragons skills and defence coach Colin Charvis has been named in Head Coach Paul Turner's 28-man squad ahead of their first EDF Energy Cup clash of the season against Newcastle Falcons at Rodney Parade on Friday 3 October, kick-off 7.05pm.

The Dragons flanker and Wales' most-capped forward who has featured 42 times for the region since his debut against Glasgow Warriors on 1 September 2006 is set to return for the first time this season against Newcastle Falcons where he spent two seasons before joining the Men of Gwent.

His experience and outstanding commitment has long proved a huge boost for the region who were delighted when the 35-year-old committed a further year to the region as contact and defence skills coach for his third season at Rodney Parade.

Head Coach Paul Turner is looking forward to Charvis' return against his former team on Friday and hopes that the fans will get behind the region for this great rugby occasion. He said:

"When we sat down in the summer, it was always envisaged that Colin would have some game time. He played a small part in our preseason game against Bedford in August and has kept himself in condition with a game in Tonga and more recently the Help for Heroes game at Twickenham.

"Colin is well aware of the challenge that any Anglo-Welsh fixture brings and this fixture provides an extra incentive against one of his former teams.

"Colin and everyone involved here are well aware that we need to turn Rodney Parade into a fortress and last Friday night against Edinburgh showed us again that the crowd can become and extra man for the team following a win.

"This Friday against the old enemy is no different and as with our previous wins in the EDF against Leicester, Northampton and Worcester, the fans can play a significant part."

Tickets are available with advance booking discount if purchased before 5.30pm on Thursday via the ticket hotline 01633 674 990 or www.newportgwentdragons.com. Prices start at £15 for adults and £3 for children.

Dragons Squad:

Forwards: Adam Brown, Adam Black, Anthony Lott, Andrew Hall, Lloyd Burns, Alex Murphy, Lewis Evans, Danny Lydiate, Colin Charvis, Jamie Ringer, Adam Jones, Hugh Gustafson, Steve Jones, Richard Parks, Grant Webb, Luke Charteris, Rhys Thomas. Backs: Phillip Dollman, Marc Stcherbina (captain), Ashley Smith, Tal Selley, Rob Lewis, Gareth Wyatt, Rhodri Gomer Davies, Jason Tovey, Tom Isaacs, Shaun Connor, Rory Sidey.

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