The team shows four changes, all in the backs, to the team that lost to Edinburgh last Friday. New recruit Henson will make his debut at full back, with Leigh Halfpenny moving to the wing. Alex Cuthbert returns to the other wing, having recovered from a hamstring injury. In the centre Dafydd Hewitt starts with Jamie Roberts moving to the bench and Ceri Sweeney starts at fly half with Dan Parks also moving to the bench. The pack remains unchanged.
The Blues have won three of their last four games in the RaboDirect PRO12, and have won their last three matches in all competitions at the Cardiff City Stadium. However, the Dragons won the most recent match between the two teams, 28-15 at Rodney Parade on 29 April, to end an eight game losing run against the Blues, while their only previous win on Blues soil was 25-13 at the Arms Park on 7 November 2003.
The Blues have launched a fantastic party package offer of 10 tickets for £150 for this Friday’s Welsh derby clash, which is sure to appeal to festive revelers, with the match kicking off at 7.35pm. To help supporters wishing to go to the city centre after the match and carry on their Christmas celebrations, the Blues will also be putting on free shuttle buses to Cardiff Central.
Dragons centre Lewis Robling will be making his second regional start for the Dragons. The Dragons won the most recent match between the two teams, 28-15 at Rodney Parade on 29 April, to end an eight game losing run against the Blues.
Blues 15 Gavin Henson 14 Leigh Halfpenny 13 Casey Laulala 12 Dafydd Hewitt 11 Alex Cuthbert 10 Ceri Sweeney 9 Lloyd Williams 8 Xavier Rush 7 Sam Warburton 6 Michael Paterson 5 Paul Tito (c) 4 Bradley Davies 3 Taufa’ao Filise 2 T Rhys Thomas 1 Gethin Jenkins
Replacements 16 Ryan Tyrell 17 John Yapp 18 Scott Andrews 19 Josh Navidi 20 Maama Molitika 21 Richie Rees 22 Dan Parks 23 Jamie Roberts
Newport Gwent Dragons 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.
