Will Rowlands is straight back into the Dragons side and captains a team that features five debutants when they take on Edinburgh tomorrow.
The towering Wales lock has been made co-captain of the club this season alongside Harrison Keddie, who misses the trip to Scotland with a knee injury.
In the opening round of the United Rugby Championship, summer signings Angus O'Brien, Sio Tomkinson, JJ Hanrahan, Bradley Roberts and Sean Lonsdale all make their first competitive start.
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Wingers Rio Dyer and Jared Rosser complete the back three alongside O'Brien, with Jack Dixon partnering former Highlanders midfielder Tomkins at centre. Rhodri Williams partners Hanrahan at half-back.
Wales hooker Roberts will have Aki Seiuli and Lloyd Fairbrother either side of him at scrum time and fellow international Ben Carter and skipper Rowlands behind him.
Ross Moriarty starts the season at No.8, with Ben Fry completing the back row alongside Lonsdale.
"We’re keen to play and get started,” said Director of Rugby Dean Ryan.
“When you change the numbers we have within a squad, you’ve got to play to understand where you are, but this week is certainly the most competitive I've ever seen a Dragons squad.
“Edinburgh are a big test first up and Mike (Blair) did a great job last year. They were at the top end of the table and caused a lot of problems for teams. I expect them to build on that.
“They are probably one of the most difficult starts we could get because we know how they can play.
“Playing on a plastic surface up there is going to be something that's going to make the game faster. We've got to go up there and get our game right.”
Wales summer tourist Taine Basham only gets a spot on the bench, alongside the likes of Elliot Dee and Jordan Williams.
Meanwhile, imposing No.8 Bill Mata makes his first appearance for Edinburgh in nine months after recovering from a knee injury.
Edinburgh Rugby : Henry Immelman; Darcy Graham, Mark Bennett, Chris Dean, Damien Hoyland; Charlie Savala, Ben Vellacott; Boan Venter, Dave Cherry, Angus Williams; Marshall Sykes, Glen Young; Jamie Ritchie (C), Luke Crosbie, Viliame Mata.
Replacements : Stuart McInally, Pierre Schoeman, WP Nel, Sam Skinner, Nick Haining, Henry Pyrgos, Blair Kinghorn, James Lang
Dragons RFC : Angus O’Brien; Rio Dyer, Sio Tomkinson, Jack Dixon, Jared Rosser; JJ Hanrahan, Rhodri Williams; Aki Seiuli, Bradley Roberts, Lloyd Fairbrother; Ben Carter, Will Rowlands (C); Sean Lonsdale, Ben Fry, Ross Moriarty.
Replacements : Elliot Dee, Josh Reynolds, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, Taine Basham, Lewis Jones, Will Reed, Jordan Williams
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