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BRA vs ARG 
ARG vs BRA BRA vs ARG
Dragons second-row Matthew Screech will join an exclusive club this weekend as the Men of Gwent take on Ulster in their United Rugby Championship opener on Friday night.
The two-cap Wales international will become the second player to make 200 appearances for the Dragons, following in the footsteps of former captain Lewis Evans, when the Rodney Parade side start this season in Belfast. "It's an amazing achievement for him," said Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia.
"It's a special milestone for a player who has served this club so well."
The milestone comes as Filo Tiatia looks to improve upon last year's nightmarish campaign - when the Dragons finished bottom of the league after losing 17 out of 18 matches.
The Dragons have recruited heavily as they look to improve their fortunes, with Tiatia handing competitive debuts to three players in his starting XV. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Wales loosehead Wyn Jones and South African tighthead Rob Hunt start either side of Wales hooker Elliot Dee in the front-row, with co-captain Ben Carter packing down alongside Screech in the second-row.
Wales internationals Aaron Wainwright and Shane Lewis-Hughes start in the back-row with club stalwart Harri Keddie.
The other debut comes at fly-half, with former Cardiff playmaker Tinus de Beer starting alongside Rhodri Williams.
Aneurin Owen and Joe Westwood start in midfield, with co-captain Angus O'Brien, Rio Dyer and Jared Rosser in the back-three.
There's four potential debuts on the bench, with new signings Dillon Lewis, Levi Douglas, Mackenzie Martin and Fine Inisi all named as replacements.
"Last season was last season, and it's turning over a new leaf in terms of what we want to achieve together," Tiatia said.
"We've had two pre-season games, we've improved in different areas, and we've still got lots to work on."
He added: "We're looking forward to going to Ulster, they're a good side and they'll be tough over there.
"They have a heavy pack, they've certainly got some experience in midfield, and they've got speed. We're looking forward to the challenge.
"The players are excited, so are the coaches, but it's no different to Ulster, they'll be excited to play against us. It's all set up for a big opening weekend."
Dragons RFC: Angus O'Brien (CC), Rio Dyer, Joe Westwood, Aneurin Owen, Jared Rosser, Tinus de Beer, Rhodri Williams; Wyn Jones, Elliot Dee, Rob Hunt, Matthew Screech, Ben Carter (CC), Shane Lewis-Hughes, Harrison Keddie, Aaron Wainwright
Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Rodrigo Martinez, Dillon Lewis, Levi Douglas, Mackenzie Martin, Che Hope, Fine Inisi, Huw Anderson
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