Martyn Thomas comes back into the side at full back having missed the Munster game with concussion. Will Harries moves from full back to wing to accommodate the change with Tonderai Chavhanga named among the substitutes.
In the forwards, Luke Charteris’ absence with the Wales squad means that Jevon Groves moves into the second row and Darren Waters comes in at open side.
Lewis Rolbling continues at 10 after his impressive outing on his first start at fly-half against Munster.
On the bench, Newport’s Hywel Stoddart is selected in the Dragons squad for the first time as back row cover.
The Blues will face a Newport Gwent Dragons team who has won three of their last five games in the RaboDirect PRO12. Cardiff Blues meanwhile have lost just one of their last five matches in all competitions: 13-16 in Munster on 24 February.
The Blues’ solo victory over another Welsh side since December 2010 was 28-9 over the Dragons in their clash in round eleven of the RaboDirect PRO12.
However, the Blues can take confidence that they have only lost once in their last ten meetings since December 2006: 28-15 at Rodney Parade in this equivalent fixture last season.
In the backs the Blues welcome back Dafydd Hewitt, who has recovered from a hamstring injury with Ceri Sweeney moving to the bench. Chris Czekaj moves from wing to Fullback with Ben Blair also moving to the bench.
Teenage winger, Harry Robinson, who was selected in Warren Gatland’s Wales squad makes his RaboDirect starting debut, having come off the bench against Leisnter and Treviso, in place of Richard Mustoe who is out with a hip injury.
There is only one change in the forwards with Macauley Cook starting in the second row in place of the injured Paul Tito. T Rhys Thomas captains the side
Newport Gwent Dragons 15 Martyn Thomas 14 Will Harries 13 Andy Tuilagi 12 Ashley Smith (Capt) 11 Aled Brew 10 Lewis Robling 9 Wayne Evans 1 Nathan Williams 2 Steve Jones 3 Nathan Buck 4 Jevon Groves 5 Rob Sidoli 6 Lewis Evans 7 Darren Waters 8 Tom Brown
Replacements 16 Sam Parry 17 Phil Price 18 Dan Way 19 Hugo Ellis 20 Hywel Stoddart 21 Joe Bedford 22 Tonderai Chavhanga
Cardiff Blues 15. Chris Czekaj 14. Harry Robinson 13.Gavin Evans 12.Dafydd Hewitt 11. Tom James 10. Dan Parks 9. Richie Rees 8. Xavier Rush 7. Martyn Williams 6. Michael Paterson 5. Cory Hill 4. Macualey Cook 3. Scott Andrews 2. T Rhys Thomas (capt) 1. Sam Hobbs
Replacements: 16. Ryan Tyrell 17. John Yapp 18. Ryan Harford 19. Maama Molitika 20. Josh Navidi 21. Lewis Jones 22. Ceri Sweeney 23. Ben Blair
