Hewitt returns for Blues to face Dragons

Cardiff Blues have a chance to make up lost ground when they face Newport Gwent Dragons on Thursday 15 March, 7.05pm kick off at Rodney Parade.

A win would lift the Blues above Glasgow Warriors in the table and into the Play-Off Zone for the first time since Round 7. The match was originally postponed on 4 November due to a waterlogged pitch.

The Blues will face a Newport Gwent Dragons team who has won three of their last five games in the RaboDirect PRO12. Cardiff Blues meanwhile have lost just one of their last five matches in all competitions: 13-16 in Munster on 24 February. The Blues' solo victory over another Welsh side since December 2010 was 28-9 over the Dragons in their clash in round eleven of the RaboDirect PRO12.

However, the Blues can take confidence that they have only lost once in their last ten meetings since December 2006: 28-15 at Rodney Parade in this equivalent fixture last season.

In the backs the Blues welcome back Dafydd Hewitt, who has recovered from a hamstring injury with Ceri Sweeney moving to the bench. Chris Czekaj moves from wing to Fullback with Ben Blair also moving to the bench. Teenage winger, Harry Robinson, who was selected in Warren Gatland's Wales squad makes his RaboDirect starting debut, having come off the bench against Leisnter and Treviso, in place of Richard Mustoe who is out with a hip injury.

There is only one change in the forwards with Macauley Cook starting in the second row in place of the injured Paul Tito. T Rhys Thomas captains the side.

15. Chris Czekaj 14. Harry Robinson 13.Gavin Evans 12.Dafydd Hewitt 11. Tom James 10. Dan Parks 9. Richie Rees
8. Xavier Rush 7. Martyn Williams 6. Michael Paterson 5. Cory Hill 4. Macualey Cook 3. Scott Andrews 2. T Rhys Thomas (c) 1. Sam Hobbs

16. Ryan Tyrell 17. John Yapp 18. Ryan Harford 19. Maama Molitika 20. Josh Navidi 21. Lewis Jones 22. Ceri Sweeney 23. Ben Blair

Not available due to injury:
Casey Laulala - hamstring
Paul Tito - Head
Richard Mustoe - hip
Gavin Henson - Chest infection
Fau Filise - shoulder
James Down - ankle
Andries Pretorius - knee
Deiniol Jones - shoulders