The Dragons under 18s will be hoping to prevent the Blues from taking another significant step towards the final of the WRU Age Grade Championship when the sides meet at the Welfare Ground, Newbridge this evening (Wednesday) (7.15).
After a somewhat disappointing start to the campaign - they lost their opening games against the Ospreys and Scarlets - the region has bounced back with successive victories over Gogledd Cymru (36-0) and the Ospreys (27-14).
And if they could make it three in a row at the expense of the old enemy, they would significantly improve their own chances of qualifying for the final.
Matthew O’Brien has been responsible for the majority of the side's points this season – the outstanding full back helped himself to a try and seven points with the boot in the victory over the Ospreys and leads the points table with 30 from four games.
As expected, O'Brien is named at no.15 in a side that is once again led by the excellent Thomas Rusga.
It is sure to be the Dragons' most exacting test of the season to date. Although currently second in the table, albeit with two games in hand over the table-topping Scarlets, owever, the Blues have won all three games so far this term.
Outside half Joseff Griffin could once again be the key to their success. The talented pivot already has 32 points to his name so far this season and was in outstanding form when the region defeated the Ospreys at Llandarcy in their last league game.
Dragons: M O’Brien; A Cooper, B Hill, L Bellamore, T Ashmead; J Prosser, J-B Bruzilier; D Morgan, T Rusga (capt), G Kemp, H Lewis, C Regan, J Sollis, J Tayler, L Burgess
Replacements: J Williams, J Davies, L Smalley, S Bevan, L Bacon, I Jones, M Thomas
Blues: R Lovering; E Jones, C Driscoll, T Pascoe, H Robinson; J Griffin, L Jones; T Davies, J Dando, W John, J Sienawski, M Screech, C Thomas, T Young (capt), O Sheppeard
Replacements: J Williams, D Harris, A Lee, E Jenkins, A Meades, L Williams, S Campbell
