Darren Edwards’ side have only two victories to their name in the competition this season and sit second from bottom in the table. They haven’t recorded a win since their success over Ulster at the end of September but did win the last derby match between the sides, 28-15 back in April.
Edwards has made a number of changes to the side which lost at home to Exeter in European action, the most noticeable is the call up of 20-year-old Lewis Robling who will make his fifth regional appearance in the midfield.
“Lewis is a very clever rugby player and needs to do exactly what Ashley did last year,” said Edwards.
“Ashley out-thought the Blues in attack and defence and his tackle selection was superb. I believe Lewis is of the same stature.
“The game plan that we put in place last time worked superbly and I believe we know how to play against the Blues.
“It’s now just down to having the confidence and concentration to play for the full 80 minutes, because those parts of our game let us down against Exeter last weekend.
“Like the Blues, they are a power team and in the first half we tackled them low and turned them over but then for some reason we went away from that plan towards the end of the game.”
Newport Gwent Dragons Squad
Martyn Thomas, Tonderai Chavhanga, Adam Hughes, Lewis Robling, Aled Brew, Jason Tovey; Wayne Evans; Nathan Williams, Lloyd Burns, Nathan Buck, Adam Jones, Rob Sidoli, Danny Lydiate, Gavin Thomas, Toby Faletau.
Replacements:
Steve Jones, Phil Price, Dan Way, Jevon Groves, Darren Waters, Joe Bedford, Anitelea Tuilagi, Will Harries.
