Wing Jared Rosser will make his first appearance of the season as Dragons make changes for the Guinness PRO14 Welsh derby with Cardiff Blues at Cardiff Arms Park on Boxing Day (kick-off 3pm).
Speedster Rosser, who has scored 13 tries in 40 appearances for Dragons, is handed a starting spot after recovering from a leg injury.
Dean Ryan, Director of Dragons Rugby, makes five changes to the side that defeated Scarlets has he looks to inject fresh energy into his team with a five-day turnaround between games.
Wales international Number Eight Ross Moriarty starts his first game of the season, with back row partner Aaron Wainwright moving to blindside flanker and Cory Hill into the second row to partner Matthew Screech.
Experienced duo Richard Hibbard and Aaron Jarvis both come into the front row to partner Brok Harris, after impressing from the bench in the derby success over Scarlets.
Centre Tyler Morgan is also are named in midfield where he joins forces with Jack Dixon.
Several changes on the bench include the return of scrum half Luke Baldwin, back row Harrison Keddie and talented young prop Josh Reynolds.
Ryan is looking forward to watching his team perform in the capital against a side that defeated Ospreys before Christmas.
“Cardiff Blues will be full of confidence after the win over Ospreys and keen to reproduce that back on home soil,” he said.
“They are a team with a lot of threat in the back line and that is what does the damage to you off set pieces.
“There are still lots of areas where we can get better and we must use the experience against Scarlets to continue to improve,” he added.
“It's a fast track in Cardiff and that's something that we've looked at with our selection, as we have freshened things up and looked to add energy.”
Dragons: Will Talbot-Davies, Jared Rosser, Tyler Morgan, Jack Dixon, Ashton Hewitt, Sam Davies, Rhodri Williams (c); Brok Harris, Richard Hibbard, Aaron Jarvis, Matthew Screech, Cory Hill, Aaron Wainwright, Taine Basham, Ross Moriarty
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Josh Reynolds, Leon Brown, Joe Davies, Harrison Keddie, Luke Baldwin, Jacob Botica, Adam Warren
Cardiff Blues: Hallam Amos; Owen Lane, Rey Lee-Lo, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams; Brad Thyer, Liam Belcher, Keiron Assiratti, James Ratti, Josh Turnbull, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Olly Robinson, Josh Navidi (capt.)
Replacements: Ethan Lewis, Rhys Gill, Scott Andrews, Seb Davies, Will Boyde, Lloyd Williams, Jason Tovey, Matthew Morgan
It's a fast track in Cardiff and that's something that we've looked at with our selection, as we have freshened things up and looked to add energy...
