The rivalry between Cardiff and Newport is one of the most famous in the sport with a fixture between the two in 1951 attracting what was then a world record crowd of 48,500.
Dating back to 1876, the first game between the sides saw Cardiff take on the Black and Ambers at the Marshes, Newport with the home side outscoring their rivals by two tries to nil. Since then the clubs have met on over 400 occasions.
Newport had a poor season last year, finishing in eleventh place but still managed to do the double over the old enemy with a 22-6 win at the Arms Park and a 36-19 victory in the return fixture at Rodney Parade.
Cardiff have had a disappointing start to this year’s campaign and are yet to register a win. But despite a convincing defeat to Llandovery on the opening day and a 35-25 loss away to Carmarthen Quins last weekend, Cardiff head coach Martyn Fowler is remaining positive.
“The biggest thing for me is that we’re improving,” he said.
“We were well beaten by a well-coached team in Llandovery and we were outplayed in all areas of the game – at the set piece, in defence and in attack. We were never in the game if I’m honest.
“But against Carmarthen Quins it was very much a game that we lost rather than one which Carmarthen won so there are signs that we are developing into very much a good team.
“We’re totally behind our development policy with the Blues and hopefully it will continue to be mutually beneficial.”
After two defeats, Fowler believes a local derby is the perfect time for his side to gather their first win and is looking forward to the game.
“I’ve been involved in the Premiership for three years now and as I’m Cardiff born and bred, being asked to lead Cardiff RFC has been a life time ambition,” he said.
“Playing against Newport at Cardiff Arms Park is the stuff of dreams for me.”
Flanker Macauley Cook will lead the Cardiff pack with Shaun Powell captaining the side from the wing.
Reuben Tucker, who made a big impact from the bench last week, once again has to settle for a place among the replacements as he is not yet ready for a full 80 minutes following his recovery from a car crash.
Newport will be looking to recover from a heavy home defeat at the hands of Llanelli and make changes for their visit to the Arms Park.
Captain Gethin Robinson makes a first appearance of the season while Dan Robinson starts at centre. Sam Waldron, who was outstanding in the corresponding fixture last season, is switched from the back-row to lock.
Cardiff: 15 Dan Fish 14 Shaun Powell (c) 13 Owen Williams 12 Richard Smith 11 Steve Cullen 10 Gareth Davies 9 Rob Lewis, 8 Robin Copeland 7 Thomas Young 6 Macauley Cook 5 James Murphy 4 Nick White 3 Scott Andrews 2 Aaron Fowler 1 Campese Ma’afu.
Replacements: Ethan Lewis, Callum Lewis, Will Griff John, Reuben Tucker, Ellis Jenkins, Alex Walker, Will Thomas, TBC.
Newport Team: 15 G O Driscoll 14 E Frewen 13 D Robinson 12 A Davies 11 A Awcock 10 S Sneddon 9 J Leadbeater, 1 D Pattison 2 A Brown 3 G Robinson (c) 4 S Waldron 5 A Frampton 6 R Coombs 7 C Attwell 8 I Jones.
Replacements: S Parry J Lavender L Randall C Townsend T Hancock W Hodnett R Downes
Referee: Leighton Hodges
