Cardiff Blues director of rugby Phil Davies insists his side owe the Arms Park faithful a result when they welcome the Dragons on New Year’s Day in the RaboDirect PRO12. In the first leg of the their double header the Blues ended up on the wrong end of a 22-16 defeat at Rodney Parade. The Blues have not won in the league since round 7, their only home victory in their last four coming in Europe, and are chasing their first win over Welsh opposition in five clashes. But with the Dragons’ away form hardly something to be feared, the Men from Gwent have only once won on their travels in their last 11, Davies is desperate for a response. “We played with real endeavour and physicality at Rodney Parade, but we were obviously disappointed by the result in Newport,” he said. “However, the nature of Dominos Derby Series is that we face each other again almost immediately and have a chance to make amends. “There will be a huge fired crowd at the Arms Park and I'm sure the atmosphere will be absolutely electric as we look to kick-off 2014 with an important result and move up the RaboDirect PRO12 table.” Davies makes a total of five changes to the starting line-up from the side that narrowly lost at Rodney Parade last week. Harry Robinson and Richard Smith return to the starting line-up, Smith in the centres and Robinson on the wing. Hooker Marc Breeze starts the game, with Kristian Dacey ruled out through injury, while Macauley Cook moves to lock to partner Filo Paulo. The final changes sees Rory Watts-Jones named at blindside flanker to join Josh Navidi and Robin Copeland in the back row. Wales prop Gethin Jenkins returns among the replacements while hooker Rhys Williams will make his 50th appearance for the region if he comes off the bench. The Dragons have not achieved a season's double against The Blues since the first season of Regional rugby a decade ago. And former Blue Jason Tovey insists his side are focused on continuing their climb up the table from where they currently sit in sixth. “It's always a little bit special when you beat your former team,” he said. “But the past is the past now, and you just move on and we're just happy as a team now we're going to start pushing up the table.” Second row Rob Sidoli will take on the role of skipper for the sixth time this season as Welsh international Andrew Coombs is out of the starting line up with a knee injury. Sidoli is one of four changes to the starting XV as Matthew Pewtner comes onto the wing in place of the injured Hallam Amos. Prop Owen Evans and hooker T.Rhys Thomas are joined in the front row by Dan Way while Sidoli and ex Cardiff Blue Matthew Screech have been called up into the second row, there is also one change to the bench with Adam Jones stepping in at number 19. At Arms Park, 2.05pm. Live on BBC WALES Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU, 34th competition game) Assistant Referees: Neil Hennessy, Gwyn Morris (both WRU) Citing Commissioner: Aurwel Morgan (WRU) TMO: Paul Adams (WRU)
