Challenge Cup: Dragons v Newcastle – The hosts bring back top players

Coughlan makes his first start since suffering a hand injury on his return from his debut for Wales in the autumn.

Talisman Wainwright, Luke Ben Carter, full-back Angus O’Brien, centre-half Aneurin Owen and Vine Ennisi and scrum-half Che Hope are back in the starting line-up.

Ryan Woodman, who moves in to lock from the blindside, fly-half Tinos De Beer and wingers Rio Dier and David Richards are the only survivors in Treviso’s XV.

“We want to qualify for the last 16 and we know that when we are at home we need to support the fans – all the players who wear the shirt know the expectations,” Titia said.

“We need to do justice to the shirt and then try to wear it for another week. This is learned, not given.

“I can’t wait for the players to be able to participate. After the disappointment against Benetton, it’s good to get back on the horse and get stuck in.”

The Dragons have won their last three home matches following Challenge Cup success against Lyon and comprehensive victories in the United Rugby Championship against Connacht and Scarlets.

They last won four Rodney Parade games in a row in 2019-20 when Dean Ryan’s side made it five in a row before the Covid pandemic.

“We love playing at home, but there will be an advantage if we participate,” Tiatia said.

“We are excited to be back and our fans are amazing and great supporters of the team.

“We have a lot to prove from last week, in terms of where we can go, and we can’t be defined by one performance.”

Newcastle, who have former Wales and Scarlets player Stephen Jones in their coaching team, made three changes to the line-up that beat Perpignan 26-19.

Eighth Freddie Lockwood returns from a broken hand, while Jamie Hodgson is suspended for one match, and Cameron Hutchison replaces Ollie Spencer, who suffered a head injury last week.

“The fact that we already have a home draw in the round of 16 is irrelevant, because we know that the home advantage in the later rounds will be huge if we can get deeper into the competition,” Jones said.

“Securing a higher seed from the group stage gives us the best possible chance of achieving that, but it is also about maintaining our momentum.

He added: “The Challenge Cup has been a great incentive for us, and I see it as a really important tournament, so we are fully committed to it.”