Dragons v Blues: Teams
Paul Turner is looking for the Dragons to build on their win over the Ospreys while Blues chief Dai Young is expecting a tough test.
Last Updated: 24/12/08 10:03am
Newport Gwent Dragons coach Paul Turner will be looking to build on his side's victory over Ospreys when they face Cardiff Blues at Rodney Parade on Boxing Day.
The Dragons edged out the Ospreys 30-24 last time out to move above the Blues in the table.
And Turner is looking for his side to kick-on and add to Cardiff's miseries in the Magners League.
"We need to build on the confidence gained from our win against the Ospreys and make it a Christmas double at home," said Turner.
"The Blues rested a lot of players when they played the Scarlets because of their huge strength in depth but they will realise that they need to be moving up the Magners League."
Cardiff chief Dai Young admits his side will need to raise their game following their defeat to the Scarlets.
Despite performing wonders in Europe, the Blues have struggled in the Magners League - and Young knows it is simply not good enough.
He said: "Rodney Parade is always a difficult place to go and get a win, because the Dragons have always been strong at home. They had a confidence building win over a very good Ospreys team last week, so I'm sure they'll be looking forward to welcoming us there.
"They have put in some big performances recently and narrowly lost, so it was only a matter of time before one of those performances resulted in a win.
"We were disappointed with the standard of our play at the Scarlets over the weekend and will be looking for big improvements on Boxing Day.
"At Parc y Scarlets we didn't have enough possession due to our lack of accuracy and no territory. We spent most of the time defending. The players have realized they have to improve and have been going well in training this week."
Dragons: (from) Gareth Wyatt, Ashley Smith, Rory Sidey, Richard Fussell, , Rhodri Gomer Davies, James Arlidge, Jason Tovey, Shaun Connor, Rob Lewis, Wayne Evans, Adam Black, Rhys Thomas, Steve Jones, Tom Willis (captain), Luke Charteris, Joe Bearman, Danny Lydiate, Jamie Corsi, Hoani MacDonald, Lewis Evans, Adam Jones, Colin Charvis.
Cardiff: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Richard Mustoe, 13 Jamie Robinson, 12 Tom Shanklin, 11, Tom James, 10 Ceri Sweeney, 9 Jason Spice, 1 John Yapp, 2 Rhys Thomas, 3 Faao Filise, 4 Bradley Davies, 5 Scott Morgan, 6 Mamma Molitika, 7 Robin Sowden-Taylor (c), 8 Andy Powell.
Replacements: 16 Gary Powell, 17 Gareth Williams, 18 Paul Tito, 19 Ben White, 20 Darren Allinson, 21 Nicky Robinson, 22 Gareth Thomas