Blues v Dragons: Teams

Centre Ashley Smith returns to the Dragons' midfield for Wednesday's crucial Magners League meeting with Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park.

The midweek fixture 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 74th 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.

Blues changes

"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."

Meanwhile, the home fixture provides Cardiff Blues with an immediate opportunity to pick themselves up from their heartbreaking Heineken Cup exit.

Eight changes have been made to their starting line-up with British and Irish Lions squad member Andy Powell handed the number eight jersey and veteran Gareth Thomas named on the wing.

"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," said director of rugby, Dai Young.

"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."

Cardiff Blues: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Gareth Thomas, 13 Jamie Robinson, 12 Tom Shanklin, 11 Tom James, 10 Ceri Sweeney, 9 Richie Rees, 8 Andy Powell, 7 Robin Sowden Taylor (c), 6 Maama Molitika, 5 Scott Morgan, 4 Deiniol Jones, 3 Tauf'ao Filise, 2 T Rhys Thomas, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements:16 John Yapp, 17 Gareth Williams, 18 Bradley Davies, 19 Xavier Rush, 20 Darren Allinson, 21 Nicky Robinson, 22 Richard Mustoe.

Dragons: 15 Jason Tovey, 14 Gareth Wyatt, 13 Rhodri Gomer Davies, 12 Ashley Smith, 11 Richard Fussell, 10 Shaun Connor, 9 Wayne Evans, 8 Joe Bearman, 7 Lewis Evans, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Luke Charteris, 4 Hoani Macdonald, 3 Nigel Hall, 2 Tom Willis (capt), 1 Adam Black.
Replacements: 16 Steve Jones, 17 Hugh Gustafson, 18 Andrew Hall, 19 Grant Webb, 20 Aled Brew, 21 James Arlidge, 22 Alex Walker.