The Dragons will official open their new Bisley Stand at the game with guests including former Dragons and Newport star Rod Snow, as former Newport and Springbok sensation Gary Teichmann and Welsh stalwart Max Boyce attending.
For the Blues trio Jamie Roberts, Gethin Jenkins and Bradley Davies all return whilst the hosts welcome back Aled Brew and Lloyd Burns.
The World cup stars line up for the Blues for the first time this season with Roberts forming a centre partnership with the inform Casey Laulala, this being the only change in the backs to the team that defeated Connacht last Saturday.
Jenkins starts in the front row in place of John Yapp while Davies forms a new partnership in the second row with James Down. Paul Tito moves to the bench and Michael Paterson moves to the blindside in place of Maama Molitika. Lloyd Williams who also featured for Wales during the World Cup is also on the bench.
The Blues have won back to back RaboDirect PRO12 matches, both away from home at Aironi and Connacht, but are winless in five encounters with fellow Welsh regions in 2011.
Newport Gwent Dragons’ only victory in their last four RaboDirect PRO12 matches was 22-9 at home to Ulster in round five. Dragons have won five of their last six games at Rodney Parade in the tournament.
Speaking ahead of the match, Cardiff Blues squad captain Paul Tito said,
“We have a few of the Welsh boys back and I’m sure they will be firing to play for the Blues.”
“It’s the opening of their new stand at Rodney Parade so I’ve no doubt it will be a big match.”
“They beat us down there last year, which was disappointing and stopped us getting in the top four, so there’s a lot riding on it.”
“The boys obviously want to play well, so they get into the Heineken cup team as well.”
“So a good performance against the Dragons this week is crucial for everyone.”
Newport Gwent Dragons team:
Martyn Thomas, Tonderai Chavhanga, Adam Hughes, Ashley Smith (c), Aled Brew, Jason Tovey, Wayne Evans, Phil Price, Rhys Buckley, Dan Way, Adam Jones, Scott Morgan, Andrew Coombs, Gavin Thomas, Lewis Evans
Replacements: Lloyd Burns, Nathan Williams, Nathan Buck, Rob Sidoli, Tom Brown, Joe Bedford, Lewis Robling, Steffan Jones.
Cardiff Blues Team:
15 Chris Czekaj 14 Alex Cuthbert 13 Casey Laulala 12 Jamie Roberts 11 Tom James 10 Dan Parks 9 Richie Rees 8 Xavier Rush 7 Josh Navidi 6 Michael Paterson 5 James Down 4 Bradley Davies 3 Taufaao Filise 2 T Rhys Thomas (c) 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Tyrrell 17 John Yapp / Sam Hobbs 18 Scott Andrews 19 Paul Tito 20 Maama Molitika 21 Lloyd Williams 22 Ceri Sweeney 23 Gavin Evans.
