Cardiff Blues secured their Heineken Cup spot for next season with a convincing 39 to 16 point win over the Scarlets last Saturday with a display of great power, skill and speed.
The Blues have suffered just one defeat in their last five Magners League matches: 20-29 at home to Leinster on 7 March, whilst the Blues’ impressive away form has guided them to six successive wins in all competitions.
They travel to Rodney Parade to face an in form Dragons team, with the last five matches played by Newport Gwent Dragons have all gone the way of the home side on the day. Dragons’ only reversal at Rodney Parade in the Magners League since March 2009 was 9-14 to Scarlets on New Year’s Eve.
The Blues have an impressive record against the Dragons who have lost their last six matches against the capital region since their 14-13 victory at Rodney Parade on 27 December 2006. However, this Friday’s encounter is sure to be another stern test against Paul Turner’s men.
If he comes off the bench during Friday’s match Deiniol Jones will set a record for the most appearance in the Magners League, having equaled Adam Black’s 117 mark last weekend.
Deiniol who is originally from Cardigan, attended Ysgol Gyfun Llandysul and went on to study Chemistry at Bath University in 1997 where he caught the eye of the scouts of Bath RFC.
After spending three years playing for Bath, in 2000 Deiniol signed for Ebbw Vale on loan before joining Bridgend, The Celtic Warriors and the Cardiff Blues in 2004.
He gained international honours representing Wales at Under 18, 19 and 21 age grades before making his debut for the senior Wales team against Samoa in November 2000, and also won caps on the tour to Japan in 2003.
An unsung hero for the Blues, Jones deservedly gained further international honours this season after being called up to Warren Gatland’s Six Nations squad.
Cardiff Blues
15 Ben Blair
14 Leigh Halfpenny
13 Jamie Roberts
12 Dafydd Hewitt
11 Chris Czekaj
10 Ceri Sweeney
9 Richie Rees
1 John Yapp
2 T Rhys Thomas
3 Scott Andrews
4 Bradley Davies
5 Paul Tito
6 Maama Molitika
7 Sam Warburton
8 Andy Powell
Replacements:
16 Gareth Williams
17 Taufa’au Filise
18 Deiniol Jones
19 Andries Pretorius
20 Lloyd Williams
21 Dai Flanagan
22 Gavin Evans
Newport Gwent Dragons v Cardiff Blues
Friday 23 April, 7:05pm kick off, Rodney Parade
Referee: Alain Rolland
