NEWPORT Gwent Dragons director of rugby Lyn Jones has demanded that his charges show a cutting edge against Cardiff Blues this afternoon as they attempt to end their 11-year drought in the capital.

The Dragons have not won in Cardiff since the first season of regional rugby and head to BT Sport Arms Park with just the Italian pair of Treviso and Zebre beneath them in the Guinness Pro12.

It has been a miserable season so far but the Jones’ side have shown signs of life in December, beating Bucharest home and away in the European Rugby Challenge Cup and then triumphing against Zebre 25-11 at Rodney Parade last Sunday.

Jones said: “Can we go to the Arms Park and win? Yes we can. Are we good enough? Yes we are. Are we confident? Yes we are.

“It’s about going there and creating opportunities but finishing them off. Against Zebre we created six and took three, which is not good enough.”

Jones admits he would rather have been able to give his players carte blanche yesterday but realises that festive rugby is necessary to boost the regions’ coffers.

He said: “I’ve never liked Boxing Day derbies, either as a player or a coach, and I think the Christmas period should be a week off so that we come back fresh and ready to go for the New Year.

“But we are in the entertainment business and I appreciate that it’s a valuable time for the businesses and we have to perform. No better way than the cauldron of a local derby.

“I am enthused that the Blues are doing well and we have turned the corner somewhat so it will be a game between two sides that have bottomed out and are now scratching their way up the league looking to find some solidity in their performances.

“I am sure both squads appreciate how much is on these two games coming up.”

The Dragons make two changes to the side that beat Zebre last Sunday with Lewis Evans replacing Taulupe Faletau (ankle) and Tyler Morgan replacing Ross Wardle (shoulder).

Former Wales lock Ian Gough will make his first appearance for almost three months from the bench after a quicker than expected recovery from shoulder surgery.

The Blues are without Wales captain Sam Warburton, who is likely to return from a shoulder ‘stinger’ in the return fixture at Rodney Parade on New Year’s Day, while fly-half/full-back Gareth Anscombe and loosehead Gethin Jenkins drop to the bench.

Blues: J Tuculet; A Cuthbert, C Allen, G Evans, L Amorosino; G Davies, L Jones; S Hobbs, M Rees (captain), A Jones, J Hoeata, L Reed, J Turnbull, J Navidi, E Jenkins. Reps: K Dacey, G Jenkins, T Filise, M Cook, M Vosawai, T Knoyle, G Anscombe, A Thomas.

Dragons: T Prydie, M Pewtner, T Morgan, J Dixon, H Amos, J Tovey, J Evans, P Price, R Thomas, B Harris, A Coombs, R Landman (captain), J Thomas, N Cudd, L Evans. Replacements: E Dee, O Evans, D Way, C Hill, I Gough, R Rees, D Jones, R Jones.

Referee: Leighton Hodges (Bridgend)