Hopper to make first Albion start of season
Hopper made his comeback from injury a couple of weeks ago in Albion's development team's match against London Scottish.
But Plymouth's joint top try scorer last term not featured in a competitive first team game since damaging ankle ligaments in the 30-14 defeat at Cornish Pirates on April 12.
Hopper played three games for Newport as a full-back while at university, but he will line-up against his former side tonight in his customary centre position with Keni Fisilau moving to the bench.
"Matt hasn't got to prove anything, he has just got to go about it as it is his 10th game of the season," said chairman of rugby Graham Dawe. "Keni Fisilau has done well in the number 13 shirt – Matt has got to try and do the same. He has got to fill holes defensively and be direct going forward."
Hopper for Fisilau is one of five changes Albion make from the side which started last Saturday's 16-13 loss to Leinster.
In the backs, Gary Kingdom comes in on the wing for the injured Liam Gibson, while Kieran Hallett returns at fly-half with Alex Davies dropping to the bench.
In the forwards, George Porter comes in to make his first start at prop with Martin Rice named among the replacements.
Porter only made his comeback from a fractured scaphoid bone last week but he was named on the bench for the Leinster clash.
Darren Clayton returns at flanker in place of Rory Watts-Jones to make his first start since the 26-10 defeat at Coventry on October 23.
"We feel George is now primed and ready to go," said Dawe.
"This a game we are targeting to win and we expect this team to do the business."
Albion are still without injured pair Sean-Michael Stephen and James Owen.
Stephen is unlikely to play again this year after suffering knee ligament damage at London Welsh on November 14.
Owen is out for the second successive match with a neck injury.
In their absence, Joe Clark will again start as hooker while Wayne Sprangle will deputise for Stephen to make only his third start of the season.
"Wayne may have only made two starts this season, but he has come off the bench nine times and made a big impact," said Dawe. "It is up to him to try and make a really strong case for inclusion in the team.
"We are likely to be without Sean-Michael until January so there is a chance for somebody to make a fist of it and push for a regular start. "We are just fortunate we have a lot of options in the back-row."
Despite the return of Hallett to the starting line-up, Kyle Marriott, who was skipper last weekend, will retain the captaincy for tomorrow's cup game.
"Kyle has done it before and just like James Waterhouse and Mark Lee, he deserves a second chance," said Dawe.
Albion: Mark Lee, Ben Mercer, Matt Hopper, Sione Tu'ipulotu, Gary Kingdom, Kieran Hallett, Ruairi Cushion, George Porter, Joe Clark, Ryan Hopkins, James Waterhouse, Tom Skelding, Wayne Sprangle, Darren Clayton, Kyle Marriott (capt). Reps: Alex Davies, Tom Kessell, Keni Fisilau, Martin Rice, Graham Dawe, Mike Lewis, Rory Watts-Jones.
