Blues Director of Rugby Phil Davies makes a total of five changes to the starting line-up from the side that narrowly lost out 22-16 in the game between the two sides at Rodney Parade last week.
Smith returns at outside centre while Robinson is back on the wing as Blues look to return to winning ways in the league competition.
Hooker Marc Breeze starts the game, with Kristian Dacey ruled out through injury, while Macauley Cook moves to lock to partner Filo Paulo. The final changes sees Rory Watts-Jones named at blindside flanker to join Josh Navidi and Robin Copeland in the back row.
Wales prop Gethin Jenkins returns among the replacements while hooker Rhys Williams will make his 50th appearance for the region if he comes off the bench.
Davies said: “We played with real endeavour and physicality at Rodney Parade, but we were obviously disappointed by the result in Newport. However, the nature of Dominos Derby Series is that we face each other again almost immediately and have a chance to make amends.
“There will be a huge fired crowd at the Arms Park and I’m sure the atmosphere will be absolutely electric as we look to kick-off 2014 with an important result and move up the RaboDirect PRO12 table.”
Second row Rob Sidoli will take on the role of Dragons skipper for the sixth time this season as Welsh international Andrew Coombs is out of the starting line up with a knee injury which he sustained during last week’s clash against the Blues.
Sidoli has won three of his last encounters as captain and will be looking for another as he leads the team out against the Blues. He will stand alongside three other changes to the starting XV, from the side that faced the Blues on Boxing Day at Rodney Parade.
Fullback Daniel Evans retains his place in the back five alongside winger Will Harries. Matthew Pewtner steps into the boots of Hallam Amos who is out after sustaining a foot injury last week. The centre paring of Pat Leach and Ashley Smith will remain the same as well as Jason Tovey and Wayne Evans who also get the nod to remain in their half back positions.
Prop Owen Evans and hooker T.Rhys Thomas keep their positions from last week, but are joined in the front row by Dan Way. Rob Sidoli and ex Cardiff Blues player Matthew Screech have been called up into the second row and the back row takes on the familiar form of Netani Talei, Lewis Evans and last week’s Man of the Match Toby Faletau.
Cardiff Blues: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Richard Smith, 12 Dafydd Hewitt, 11 Harry Robinson, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Lloyd Williams; 1 Sam Hobbs (c), 2 Marc Breeze, 3 Benoit Bourrust, 4 Macauley Cook, 5 Filo Paulo, 6 Rory Watts-Jones, 7 Josh Navidi, 8 Robin Copeland.
Replacements: 16 Rhys Williams, 17 Gethin Jenkins, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Chris Dicomidis, 20 Ellis Jenkins, 21 Lewis Jones, 22 Gareth Davies, 23 Gavin Evans
Newport Gwent Dragons
Daniel Evans, Will Harries, Pat Leach, Ashley Smith, Matthew Pewtner, Jason Tovey, Wayne Evans; Owen Evans, T.Rhys Thomas, Dan Way, Matthew Screech, Rob Sidoli (c), Netani Talei, Lewis Evans, Toby Faletau.
Replacements: Sam Parry, Aaron Coundley, Francisco Chaparro, Adam Jones, Nic Cudd, Richie Rees, Steffan Jones, Ross Wardle.
