CARL Meyer has the chance to cement himself as the replacement for his compatriot Zane Kirchner when he starts at full-back for the Dragons against the Southern Kings tomorrow evening.

The 26-year-old is one of just three players to retain their places from last weekend’s heavy 52-25 loss to Ulster.

Meyer, flanker Ollie Griffiths and lock Matthew Screech stay in the XV but, as expected, head coach Bernard Jackman brings back his first-teamers after resting them for the Belfast encounter.

The XV features 12 players from the excellent home win against Connacht a fortnight ago with Meyer getting his chance after former Springboks ace Kirchner suffered a dislocated shoulder in the opening stages against the Irish province.

The 31-times capped South African, a summer signing from Leinster, had surgery this week and is likely to be out of action until the New Year.

That presents an opportunity for Meyer to make the 15 jersey his own after he missed out on the first three games of the season.

The former Sharks academy player earned a Dragons deal thanks to his exploits with Ebbw Vale in the Principality Premiership and has been a key figure over the past two seasons.

A former fly-half/centre, Meyer has settled at full-back and made 28 appearances in 2015/16 and 24 last term.

Wales wing Hallam Amos and bright prospect Will Talbot-Davies are other options but the South African gets first crack after a solid showing in Belfast.

“Carl had a very good run out against Ulster and was one of the players who really had a good day at the office,” said defence coach Marnitz.

“He is a hard worker with a big boot that kicks it a fair distance but he is deceptive with the ability to create line breaks out of nothing.

“The good thing is that Carl knew Zane was [arriving] here and was first choice, but Carl just kept working very hard.

“He got an opportunity against Ulster, took it and has another against the Kings. He just needs to keep on backing up performances.”

The loss of Kirchner, who can also play on the wing and in midfield, is a blow for the injury hit Dragons but the experienced campaigner will still be a firm fixture at the Ystrad Mynach training base.

The former Springbok will pass on his knowledge to Meyer, Hallam Amos, Ashton Hewitt and academy graduates George Gasson, Jared Rosser and Talbot-Davies.

“Zane is still very busy with us sitting in with some of the younger players, showing them diagrams of how the back three should look like,” said Marnitz.

“He is really adding value to the youngsters, who all have huge respect for him, and he is keen to stay involved.”

Lock Rynard Landman has joined the Dragons’ lengthy injury list after failing a late fitness test so Joe Davies retains his place on the bench where he is joined by flanker Aaron Wainwright, who is poised for a regional debut.

Wales Under-20s hooker Ellis Shipp, who made his PRO14 bow against Cardiff Blues in the final game of last season, is set to feature for the first time this term as Elliot Dee’s back-up.

Dragons: C Meyer, A Hewitt, T Morgan, J Dixon, H Amos, G Henson, S Pretorius, B Harris, E Dee, L Brown, M Screech, C Hill (captain), J Thomas, O Griffiths, J Benjamin. Replacements: Replacements: E Shipp, T Davies, L Fairbrother, J Davies, A Wainwright, D Blacker, A O'Brien, T Palamo

Kings: M Banda, Y Penxe, J Nel, B Klaasen, A Bock, P de Wet, G Masimla, S Ferreira, M Willemse (captain), M Dreyer, S Greeff, B de Wee, A Ntsila, J van Vuuren, D van Schalkwyk. Replacements: S Coetzee, R de Klerk, E Swanepoel, L Mtyanda, K Majola, R Gouws, O Zono, L Vulindlu​

Referee: Andy Brace (Ireland)