Sam Warburton has admitted the Cardiff Blues have some pride to restore in their derby date against the Newport Gwent Dragons.
The Wales skipper makes his 100th appearance for his region in the Boxing Day clash at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park, determined to make amends for their failures against other Welsh rivals this season.
The Blues were hammered 46-24 by the Ospreys in October and then collapsed to a 26-15 defeat at home to the Scarlets a fortnight later.
It means they are yet to win a derby this season and Warburton conceded: “We prioritise derbies here at Cardiff Blues and we really want to put in good showings in these games.
“But we haven’t done that on a couple of occasions this season. It’s a great opportunity to get some pride back in derbies.
“I do enjoy derbies. It’s a little more hostile, there’s more pressure on the result and I think that brings it out of the players. Collisions are more aggressive, the games are always quicker because there is more riding on the game.
“It frustrates me looking at the stats around the place, and seeing for example a 38-3 loss to Bath. That doesn’t reflect what we’re about as a team. We definitely want to get back to winning ways.
“The main attraction of the Boxing Day game is having the packed out Arms Park. I’m sure the Dragons will also bring down some fans and it’ll make for a really good atmosphere. You’ll hear them singing, the pocket of away fans, and they tend to rile up our crowd a bit more.
“It’s probably one of the loudest atmosphere you’ll play in all season, even including European games. As a player it’s great to be involved.”
Injuries and international calls means it has taken Warburton eight years to reach his century milestone. In the same period he has managed to fit in 71 Tests for Wales and the Lions.
“For Wales, I hit my 50th cap at home against England, and this is pretty much the equivalent at club level. I’ve been pretty lucky with my milestones in terms of which fixtures they fall on.
“I’m going to put a lot of pressure on myself to put in a big performance this weekend. That’s a big priority for me.
“It’s always something I’ve wanted to chase, the 100 appearances for Cardiff Blues, and it’s nice that it’s popped up now. It’s fallen on a belter of a game, a home derby on Boxing Day. It’s probably one of the best games of the year, so I’m very fortunate.”
Warburton continues as skipper in the absence of Gethin Jenkins, as coach Danny Wilson makes five changes to the team that faced Bath in the Challenge Cup last week.
Tom James and Alex Cuthbert take their places on the wing, while Kristian Dacey, Nick Williams, Scott Andrews step into the starting forward pack.
Dragons coach Kingsley Jones has also made five changes as Wales internationals Cory Hill and Tyler Morgan return to the starting XV. Tom Prydie moves back to full-back as Pat Howard comes in on the wing, while Morgan pairs up with Adam Warren in the midfield.
Hooker Thomas Rhys Thomas features in the No 2 jersey after an illness kept him out last week, and the second row shows one change as Cory Hill joins Rynard Landman.
The back row sees skipper Lewis Evans move to the side of the scrum as Ed Jackson returns to No 8, with Ollie Griffiths completing the loose trio.
The Dragons’ matchday squad includes six players formerly on the books of Cardiff Blues – scrum-half Tavis Knoyle, loosehead Sam Hobbs, hooker Rhys Thomas, lock Hill, back-up prop Thomas Davies and reserve second row Matthew Screech.
Cardiff Blues: M Morgan, A Cuthbert, R Lee-Lo, W Halaholo, T James, S Shingler, L Williams, R Gill, K Dacey, S Andrews, M Cook, J Down, J Navidi, S Warburton (captain), N Williams. Replacements: K Myhill, B Thyer, T Filise, J Hoeata, E Jenkins, T Williams, N Robinson, C Allen.
Newport Gwent Dragons: T Prydie, P Howard, T Morgan, A Warren, A Hewitt, A O’Brien, T Knoyle, S Hobbs, R Thomas, L Fairbrother, C Hill, R Landman, L Evans (captain), O Griffiths, E Jackson. Replacements: E Dee, T Davies, B Harris, M Screech, N Crosswell, S Pretorius, D Jones, S Beard.
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
