Beating Lyon can be springboard for Dragons - Owen

European Challenge Cup: Dragons v Lyon

Venue: Rodney Parade, Newport Date: Sunday, 14 December Kick-off: 15:15 GMT

Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Sport website and app.

Dragons believe securing a first win of 2025 against Lyon in the Challenge Cup on Sunday can be the springboard to turn around their fortunes.

The Rodney Parade club have endured a torrid calendar year and have not enjoyed a victory since beating Newcastle in Europe last December.

Filo Tiatia's side were thrashed 41-17 by Perpignan - who are rooted to the bottom of the French Top 14 with 11 defeats - in their Challenge Cup opener to extend the winless streak to 20 games.

The head coach has rung the changes for the fixture in Newport against a Lyon side who were runners-up in the second-tier competition last season but lost at home to Newcastle last Saturday.

Wales number eight Aaron Wainwright is restored to the Dragons' XV after being rested last weekend, while there are also recalls for influential senior figures in centre Aneurin Owen, fly-half Tinus De Beer and tight-head Robert Hunt.

"There has been a lot of edge in training this week," said Owen. "Wednesday was a tough review, we have looked ourselves in the mirror and training has been really good as we gear up to Sunday."

Dragons have not won at Rodney Parade since beating Ospreys on the opening weekend of the 2024-25 season.

They drew with both Sharks and Ospreys in the first block of the United Rugby Championship after blowing late chances for victory.

"There have been opportunities to win games and we haven't quite got over the line," said 25-year-old Owen.

"We are trying to keep the confidence and belief because there is so much talent and potential within the group. We are all very excited about this weekend because there is a lot to prove.

"It's amazing what a bit of momentum can do. Get a good result on Sunday and it will bounce us into Connacht and the derbies against Cardiff and Scarlets.

"We have discussed how important these next four games are, and it all starts against Lyon."

Tiatia makes 10 changes with Wainwright returning while fellow internationals Ben Carter and Rio Dyer are still rested, even though they only featured in Wales' autumn finale against South Africa.

Scrum-half Niall Armstrong makes his first start after his summer arrival from Exeter, with Rhodri Williams dropped from the 23.

Wings Jared Rosser and Huw Anderson, centre Owen, fly-half de Beer, loose-head Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, hooker Oli Burrows, tight-head Hunt and lock Levi Douglas come into the starting line-up with Angus O'Brien returning to full-back.

Promising former Wales Under-20s loosehead Jordan Morris, who missed all of last season because of a knee injury, is poised for his Dragons debut as a replacement.

Burrows has overcome a rib injury to be named in the XV, which means George Roberts is not given a rapid inclusion in the matchday squad after signing from Doncaster for the rest of the season.

Lyon make eight changes to the side that lost to Newcastle with Ireland fly-half Paddy Jackson sitting out the trip to Wales.

Dragons: O'Brien (capt); J Rosser, Richards, Owen, Anderson; De Beer, Armstrong; Kelleher-Griffiths, Burrows, Hunt, Douglas, Screech, Lewis-Hughes, Young, Wainwright.

Replacements: Austin, J Morris, James, Woodman, Keddie, Hope, Westwood, E Rosser.

Lyon: Dumortier; Diabou, Parisien, Balewairiki, Mathiron; Tchaptchet, Cassang; Rey, Sarragallet, Gomes Sa, Lambey (capt), Roux, Okuya, Shvangiradze, Gouzou.

Replacements: Marceline, Kaabeche, Maalo, Sanson, Botha, Baret, Gonzalez, Maraku.

Referee: Fillippo Russo (Italy)

Assistants: Lorenzo Pedezzi (Italy) & Riccardo Bonato (Italy)

TMO: Stefano Penne (Italy)