Rhys Williams returns to the Blues’ side that plays the Dragons at Rodney Parade this afternoon (4.00pm)

The international full back has shaken off a hip injury and plays in a team showing five changes from the one that lost to Leinster ten days ago.

However, the good news stops there. David Young’s already limited selection options behind the scrum were exacerbated when Tom Shanklin failed a fitness test on Boxing Day and joins Lee Thomas and several others on the injured list. Jon Bryant is also unavailable under a contactual arrangement with the Dragons.

Shaun James and Tristan Davies form a new centre pairing and Nick Macleod comes in at fly-half. The only change in the pack ses Rhys Thomas return at hooker.

Team: Rhys Williams; Dean Dewdney, Shaun James, Tristan Davies, Craig Morgan; Nick Macleod, Ryan Powell; John Yapp, Rhys Thomas, Gethin Jenkins, Deiniol Jones, Robert Sidoli, Kort Schubert, James Malpas, Martyn Williams (captain)

Replacements: Ben Evans, Gareth Williams, Nathan Budgett, Nathan Thomas, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Matthew Nuthall, Jonny Vaughton