Aaron Wainwright and Thomas Young return to the starting line-up as Dragons RFC face Cardiff Rugby in the BKT United Rugby Championship at Cardiff Arms Park on Boxing Day (kick-off 3pm).
Head Coach Filo Tiatia makes four changes to the side that defeated Connacht last time out for the final game of 2025 in the league.
Wales international back row Wainwright returns in the Number Eight jersey and Young is named alongside him at openside.
Ryan Woodman completes the back row. The other change in the pack is a call-up for hooker George Roberts to make his full debut.
The final change comes on the wing where Huw Anderson replaces the injured Jared Rosser.
Sam Scarfe, Wyn Jones, Matthew Screech and David Richards all return among the replacements.
Head Coach Tiatia said: “Boxing Day derbies are very special. The players that get picked are representing everyone at the club, but also our Gwent people. We are looking forward to it.
“Players have put their hands up and want to play. We’ve debated as coaches the selection and the players are desperate to play in these games, put the jersey on and do it justice.
“We’re excited around the occasion. Our fans have been awesome at home, and it will be great to see them in Cardiff and hear those voices cheering for us.”
Dragons RFC: Angus O’Brien (cc), Huw Anderson, Fine Inisi, Aneurin Owen, Rio Dyer, Tinus de Beer, Che Hope; Rodrigo Martinez, George Roberts, Robert Hunt, Levi Douglas, Ben Carter (cc), Ryan Woodman, Thomas Young, Aaron Wainwright
Replacements: Sam Scarfe, Wyn Jones, Cebo Dlamini, Matthew Screech, Harri Keddie, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Rhodri Williams, David Richards
Unavailable: James Benjamin, Oli Burrows, Brodie Coghlan, Chris Coleman, Elliot Dee, Cai Evans. Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Rhodri Jones, Dillon Lewis, Fetuli Paea, Jared Rosser
Boxing Day derbies are very special... The players that get picked are representing everyone at the club, but also our Gwent people. We are looking forward to it.
