IT'S Newport Gwent Dragons' biggest game for eight years, arguably ever, and director of rugby Lyn Jones has decided to take an almighty gamble.

In some ways it is admirable that the management team have decided to stick with a winning team after the region enjoyed their first league win at Treviso at the fifth time of asking.

But it's dubious to say the least to leave one of the finest players on the planet sitting in the dugout in front of the Hazell Terrace.

Eyebrows were raised at midday yesterday when the Dragons' teamsheet was released for the European Rugby Challenge Cup quarter-final against Cardiff Blues – Taulupe Faletau will be wearing 19 rather than 8 on his back.

It's certainly a brave call given that Sam Warburton is in the visitors' back row and the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Faletau is not a Nick Williams or Opeti Fonua figure in the back row; his durability and ability to complete the full 80 and maintain his high standards is emphasised by him having played every minute for Wales since being rested against Tonga in November, 2013.

The Dragons have shown they can thrive without their biggest name – they won in Newcastle with Lewis Evans at number eight while Nick Crosswell started there in the wins against Leinster, Ulster and Treviso – but there will be some uncomfortable questions to answer if it's Cardiff Blues who are waiting to see if they are heading to London Irish or Edinburgh in the semi-finals.

However, Jones hinted on Wednesday that he would resist the temptation to ring the changes despite his selection headaches, stating that he was looking for an impact from his replacements.

"The game is for 23 players not 15," he said. "If you have a really strong bench then you know that you are a difficult side to play against.

"Players come on at 50, 60 minutes and take the game back up to a standard. That will be a factor."

Faletau will add plenty of oomph and it will be a surprise if he doesn't feature for at least half an hour while openside Nic Cudd has been one of the Dragons' stars of the season and centre/wing Tyler Morgan will be a nightmare for the Blues defence when legs are tiring.

In a tight game the men that come on will be key, as was shown in the final quarter of the Dragons' win in the capital on Boxing Day when they had to withstand a late charge by the hosts after then director of rugby Mark Hammett made a mess of his starting selection.

The Dragons, aiming to emulate the class of 2007 by making the Challenge Cup semis, will hope that their replacements are charged with protecting a lead rather than chasing one and they need to shine in several key areas to achieve that.

THE KICKING GAME

The Dragons have, unsurprisingly, gone with the safe option of Jason Tovey, Tom Prydie and Hallam Amos in their back three, resisting the temptation to bring Morgan in on the wing.

Jones' team will not run the ball back from their own territory, preferring to put boot to ball and tempt Dan Fish, Alex Cuthbert and Richard Smith into chancing their arm.

Amos may be a talented runner in the broken field and has been in majestic form but he will only stretch his legs in Blues territory.

THE DRIVING LINEOUT

The Dragons have suffered a blow with the suspension of Rynard Landman and absence of injured hooker Elliot Dee, who had been sharing the duties nicely with Rhys Thomas.

Nonetheless, the driving lineout has been a potent weapon all season. The Dragons have played some dazzling rugby in Europe but softened Stade Francais, Newcastle and Bucharest up with their maul before going wide.

The Blues, despite Dale McIntosh's claims, have struggled to defend the driving lineout this season.

THE SCRUM

The absence of loosehead Boris Stankovich is a real blow to the Dragons – he would have enjoyed his afternoon up against Scott Andrews. Phil Price needs a big game and to stay on the right side of referee JP Doyle.

THE BREAKDOWN

Cardiff Blues possess two of the most potent operators at the contact area in Gethin Jenkins and Sam Warburton while the Dragons have left their best men at the breakdown on the bench in Nic Cudd and Faletau.

Lock Andrew Coombs and flanker James Thomas caused all manner of problems with their aggressive approach in the capital but will be marked men.

A feature of the Blues' breakdown work under McIntosh last season was just attempting to make the breakdown a mess with players trying to get their boots on the ball and make things scrappy. Elements of that have returned post-Hammett.

GOAL-KICKING

Tom Prydie has had his shaky moments but has a big boot and kicked nicely in Treviso. If he has an off day then Jason Tovey, leading points scorer in the Dragons' history, Dorian Jones and Rhys Jones can all take over from the tee.

Fly-half Gareth Anscombe was the best player on the park in the Blues' New Year's Day win in Newport and gives the impression of being a man who will thrive on the big occasion.

Everything points towards a tight encounter - eight of the 11 meetings between the regions in Newport have been settled by under a score - and the Dragons will hope that Faletau isn't asked to dig them out of a hole.

LINE-UPS

Newport Gwent Dragons: J Tovey, T Prydie, P Leach, J Dixon, H Amos, D Jones, J Evans, P Price, R Thomas (captain), B Harris, A Coombs, C Hill, J Thomas, J Benjamin, N Crosswell. Replacements: H Gustafson, L Fairbrother, D Way, T Faletau, N Cudd, L Jones, T Morgan, R Jones.

Cardiff Blues: D Fish, A Cuthbert, J Tuculet, G Evans, R Smith, G Anscombe, L Williams, G Jenkins, M Rees, S Andrews, J Hoeata, L Reed, J Turnbull, S Warburton, J Navidi. Replacements: K Dacey, S Hobbs, A Jones, M Cook E Jenkins, T Knoyle, S Humberstone, G Davies.

Referee: JP Doyle (England)

TICKETS

There are still some tickets available for the derby. The print at home option is available until 10am while tickets can be bought on the day, although spectators are asked to allow plenty of time.

The BT Sport supporters village on the 'cabbage patch' between the ground and Rodney Hall will be open when gates open at 11am.

The 1,000-capacity marquee will house the BT Sport studio for live interviews before and after the match as well as a band and activities for children.