DRAGONS hooker Elliot Dee will make his return to the Test stage when he comes off the bench in Wales’ Autumn Nations Cup opener against Ireland.

The 26-year-old from Newbridge won the last of his 29 caps in the World Cup bronze match loss to New Zealand last year.

Dee featured in the uncapped fixture against the Barbarians that started the Wayne Pivac era but missed the Six Nations through injury.

The front rower was initially left out of Wales’ autumn squad only to be called up when Ken Owens was injured playing for the Scarlets.

Western Telegraph:

Ryan Elias and former Dragon Sam Parry wore 2 and 16 respectively in the losses to France and Scotland but now Dee will get his chance at the Aviva Stadium, backing up Elias.

He is joined among the replacements by Dragons teammate Aaron Wainwright, who is cover for the back row of Shane Lewis-Hughes, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau.

Tipuric is the sole change to the side that lost to Scotland after missing the clash in Llanelli through illness.

Bristol playmaker Callum Sheedy is set for his Wales debut.