Ashley Smith returns to action in the Dragons’ crucial Magners League clash against Cardiff Blues and the Arms Park on Wednesday (7:05pm)
The match also sees Richard Fussell, Lewis Evans, Nigel Hall and Captain Tom Willis return to the starting line-up.
Despite the Blues’ exhausting match on Sunday and devastating exit from the Heineken Cup, Welsh international Luke Charteris, who will be making his seventy fourth start for the region is wary of the Blues’ reaction for this game.
“It’s true that they will be gutted after Sunday’s game, but they may well come out fighting,” he said “They will clearly rest players but when you have the likes of Gareth Thomas in the wings, that’s a lot of experience to bring in.
“Now their Heineken Cup campaign is over, they will have woken up to find themselves in a dog-fight with us and the Scarlets for automatic qualification and they are going to want to get something out of the end of the season.
“We don’t know what the Blues team will be but obviously they all have the same coaching team so we know the style of rugby to expect and so we’ll be concentrating on that instead of individuals. Whatever they do, we are well-prepared and determined not to finish fourth out of the regions.”
Cardiff Blues have now named their side for tomorrow's clash, with several players taking the field after playing over 110 minutes of rugby on Sunday.
Speaking ahead of the match David Young said, "I have huge respect for our opponents and I've no doubt we will have another hotly contested Welsh derby, the last one between the Dragons and the Blues at the Arms Park."
"No doubt the Dragons will raise their game as the match is equally important to them."
"Every team wants to beat their neighbours and there is also Heineken Cup qualification at stake, with both teams wanting to avoid the play off match in Italy."
"If we play to our best I am confident that we will be too strong for them but I'm sure the Dragons will be equally determined to pick up some points."
Newport Gwent Dragons
Jason Tovey, Gareth Wyatt, Rhodri Gomer Davies, Ashley Smith, Richard Fussell, Shaun Connor, Wayne Evans, Adam Black, Tom Willis (Capt), Nigel Hall, Hoani Macdonald, Luke Charteris, Dan Lydiate, Lewis Evans, Joe Bearman
Replacements
Steve Jones, Hugh Gustafson, Andrew Hall, Grant Webb, Aled Brew, James Arlidge, Alex Walker.
Cardiff Blues
Ben Blair, Gareth Thomas, Jamie Robinson, Tom Shanklin, Tom James, Ceri Sweeney, Richie Rees, Gethin Jenkins, T Rhys Thomas, Tauf'ao Filise, Deiniol Jones, Scott Morgan, Maama Molitika, Robin Sowden Taylor (c), Andy Powell,
Replacements
John Yapp, Gareth Williams, Bradley Davies, Xavier Rush, Darren Allinson, Nicky Robinson, Richard Mustoe,
The match also sees Richard Fussell, Lewis Evans, Nigel Hall and Captain Tom Willis return to the starting line-up.
Despite the Blues’ exhausting match on Sunday and devastating exit from the Heineken Cup, Welsh international Luke Charteris, who will be making his seventy fourth start for the region is wary of the Blues’ reaction for this game.
“It’s true that they will be gutted after Sunday’s game, but they may well come out fighting,” he said “They will clearly rest players but when you have the likes of Gareth Thomas in the wings, that’s a lot of experience to bring in.
“Now their Heineken Cup campaign is over, they will have woken up to find themselves in a dog-fight with us and the Scarlets for automatic qualification and they are going to want to get something out of the end of the season.
“We don’t know what the Blues team will be but obviously they all have the same coaching team so we know the style of rugby to expect and so we’ll be concentrating on that instead of individuals. Whatever they do, we are well-prepared and determined not to finish fourth out of the regions.”
Cardiff Blues have now named their side for tomorrow's clash, with several players taking the field after playing over 110 minutes of rugby on Sunday.
Speaking ahead of the match David Young said, "I have huge respect for our opponents and I've no doubt we will have another hotly contested Welsh derby, the last one between the Dragons and the Blues at the Arms Park."
"No doubt the Dragons will raise their game as the match is equally important to them."
"Every team wants to beat their neighbours and there is also Heineken Cup qualification at stake, with both teams wanting to avoid the play off match in Italy."
"If we play to our best I am confident that we will be too strong for them but I'm sure the Dragons will be equally determined to pick up some points."
Newport Gwent Dragons
Jason Tovey, Gareth Wyatt, Rhodri Gomer Davies, Ashley Smith, Richard Fussell, Shaun Connor, Wayne Evans, Adam Black, Tom Willis (Capt), Nigel Hall, Hoani Macdonald, Luke Charteris, Dan Lydiate, Lewis Evans, Joe Bearman
Replacements
Steve Jones, Hugh Gustafson, Andrew Hall, Grant Webb, Aled Brew, James Arlidge, Alex Walker.
Cardiff Blues
Ben Blair, Gareth Thomas, Jamie Robinson, Tom Shanklin, Tom James, Ceri Sweeney, Richie Rees, Gethin Jenkins, T Rhys Thomas, Tauf'ao Filise, Deiniol Jones, Scott Morgan, Maama Molitika, Robin Sowden Taylor (c), Andy Powell,
Replacements
John Yapp, Gareth Williams, Bradley Davies, Xavier Rush, Darren Allinson, Nicky Robinson, Richard Mustoe,
