Former Dragons and Newport star Rod Snow will be attending the game as well as former Newport and Springbok sensation Gary Teichmann and Welsh stalwart Max Boyce.

Former Dragons and now World Record holder Richard Parks will also be on Parade as he continues his campaign to raise £1 million for Marie Curie Cancer Care on the back of his extraordinary 737 Challenge.

Representatives from the region’s Premiership teams will be invited to join the Dragons as they look to get another win over their regional rivals and with bonfire night on the 5th, there will be a fireworks display for supporters to admire from the stadium at the end of the game.

The Bisley Stand is part of the Rodney Parade regeneration, set to continue over the coming years has already provided fantastic corporate hospitality and non-match day facilities as well as enhancing the match day experience for supporters on the East side of the ground.

Dragons team for Blues
Martyn Thomas, Tonderai Chavhanga, Adam Hughes, Ashley Smith (c), Aled Brew, Jason Tovey, Wayne Evans, Phil Price, Rhys Buckley, Dan Way, Adam Jones, Scott Morgan, Andrew Coombs, Gavin Thomas, Lewis Evans

Lloyd Burns, Nathan Williams, Nathan Buck, Rob Sidoli, Tom Brown, Joe Bedford, Lewis Robling, Steffan Jones.

The World cup stars line up for the Blues for the first time this season with Roberts forming a centre partnership with the inform Casey Laulala, this being the only change in the backs to the team that defeated Connacht last Saturday.

Gethin Jenkins starts in the front row in place of John Yapp. Bradley Davies forms a new partnership in the second row with James Down. Paul Tito moves to the bench and Michael Paterson moves to the blindside in place of Maama Molitika. Lloyd Williams who also featured for Wales during the World Cup is also on the bench.

The Blues have won back to back RaboDirect PRO12 matches, both away from home at Aironi and Connacht, but are winless in five encounters with fellow Welsh regions in 2011.

Newport Gwent Dragons’ only victory in their last four RaboDirect PRO12 matches was 22-9 at home to Ulster in round five. Dragons have won five of their last six games at Rodney Parade in the tournament.

Speaking ahead of the match, Cardiff Blues squad captain Paul Tito said,

“We have a few of the Welsh boys back and I’m sure they will be firing to play for the Blues.”

“It’s the opening of their new stand at Rodney Parade so I’ve no doubt it will be a big match.”

“They beat us down there last year, which was disappointing and stopped us getting in the top four, so there’s a lot riding on it.”

“The boys obviously want to play well, so they get into the Heineken cup team as well.”

“So a good performance against the Dragons this week is crucial for everyone.”

15 Chris Czekaj 14 Alex Cuthbert 13 Casey Laulala 12 Jamie Roberts 11 Tom James 10 Dan Parks 9 Richie Rees

8 Xavier Rush 7 Josh Navidi 6 Michael Paterson 5 James Down 4 Bradley Davies 3 Taufaao Filise 2 T Rhys Thomas (c) 1 Gethin Jenkins

16 Ryan Tyrrell 17 John Yapp / Sam Hobbs 18 Scott Andrews 19 Paul Tito 20 Maama Molitika 21 Lloyd Williams 22 Ceri Sweeney 23 Gavin Evans.

The 32-year old tighthead ruptured his Achilles tendon during the region’s Heineken Cup game against London Wasps in December 2010.

“I’m obviously disappointed at being forced to retire,” he said. “It was always going to be really tough coming back from an injury like that but it’s still a big blow.”

Hall joined the Dragons in 2008 from Nottingham, making his debut in the festive fixture against the Scarlets on January 1st 2009. A strong player both in the scrum and in open play, he has been a key member of the Dragons squad, making 28 appearances for the region despite a 6-month lay-off with shoulder surgery following an injury in the Heineken Cup game against Gloucester in October 2009.

“It’s been really tough for me. I was at Nottingham for 5 years and played every game so to have 2 major injuries during my time at the Dragons has been really unlucky.”

“I’d like to thank everyone at the Dragons who have been really supportive during my rehab. It was easy to move down here and fit in with the squad and I wish them all the best of luck going forward.”

Dragons Director of Rugby Robert Beale said “Nigel has been a model professional during his time at the Dragons and his retirement will leave a big hole in our squad.
“I would like to thank Nigel for his honesty and commitment to our organization and wish him and his family the very best of luck for the future.”

Appleyard, currently working with the Wales Under 20 side at the Junior World Championship in Italy, has been with the region on a short-term basis since February 2011 and has now been given a full-time contract.

“We’d like to welcome Rob Appleyard as a full-time member of the Newport Gwent Dragons coaching team,” said Dragons Director of Rugby Robert Beale. “Rob joins Darren Edwards’ coaching team as an assistant coach with responsibilities for defence.

“He has had a huge impact on our environment since his involvement with the region and we would like to thank Joe Lydon and the WRU in enabling Rob to join the Dragons on a full-time basis from the Union and we are confident that he will make a valuable contribution to both our defence and other areas of our game moving forward.
WRU Head of Rugby Joe Lydon said:

“We have worked closely with the Dragons management team on the process of this appointment. We know Rob’s ambition has been to coach at Regional level for some time now and we see this as a positive opportunity for Rob, the players and the Newport Gwent Dragons Region.

“Rob has a wealth of experience as a player and coach. This experience coupled with a fantastic work ethic and appreciation of what is needed to develop players at all levels, means Rob is and will continue to be a valued member of any coaching set-up. We wish Rob and the Dragons well for the coming season and look forward to continuing to work with Rob and the Dragons in developing talented players for Welsh rugby at all levels”

The Dragons have also appointed Sara Davies, also from the WRU as Team Administrator as of 1st July.

The 6ft 6in, 18st 23-year-old came through the Academy system at the Dragons, after playing his early rugby at Bassaleg School.

Whilst in the Dragons Academy he was duelled with Bedwas in the Welsh Premiership where he cut his teeth for four years, and then later with Newport RFC, before making his Dragons debut against Ulster at Ravenhill in February 2008.

Brown is an abrasive second row forward well suited to the demands of the modern game and is an excellent line out forward who has represented Wales at U18, U19 and U20 levels, and was part of the Wales U19 team that won the Grand Slam in 2006.

He will link up at Old Deer Park with ex-Dragons team-mates Rob and James Lewis, with whom he also lined up alongside in Wales’ 2006 U19 Grand Slam winning team.

And should club physios Chris Jenkins and Lucinda Deekes need an extra pair of hands at any stage during next season, they could always call on Brown for help as he graduated from Cardiff University in 2009 with a degree in Physiotherapy.

“I’m really looking forward to the opportunity,” said Brown. “It’s a new challenge but an exciting one.

“The Championship is going to be a step up from the Welsh Premiership and it’s going to challenge my rugby abilities but hopefully it will improve my game. I think it will be good for me and my rugby career.

“I’ve played in the British & Irish Cup with Newport against the likes of Cornish Pirates and those games were a step up in intensity from the Welsh Premiership.

“You could definitely notice the increased intensity and I’m looking forward to experiencing that level of intensity week in, week out in the Championship.

“It will also be really good to meet up with James and Rob [Lewis] again and it will help me settle into he club a lot quicker.”

Jones (20) made his name last season in the Premiership at fly half for Cross Keys with his boot securing over 300 points for the Keys. But it was his first start for the Dragons against the Blues where he opened his regional account out of position at fullback with a try after just 7 minutes that he really burst onto the regional stage.

Scrum half Leadbeater (22) picked up 5 appearances for the Dragons last season and has acquitted himself well in several high-pressure matches.

“We’re delighted to have Steffan on board for another 2 years,” said Dragons Director of Rugby Robert Beale. “He has shown how talented he is and we are looking forward to seeing him develop further with us.

“James is another regional talent who we believe has a bright future in regional rugby. It is again indicative of the direction the region is taking that we are concentrating on developing local youngsters as we see them as being key to the future of rugby at the Dragons.”

Ali McKenzie, Pat Palmer, Duane Goodfield (Retired) Arthur Ellis, Adam Brown, James Thomas, Craig Attwell, Rhydian Wilson, Tom Cooper, Matthew Watkins, Rhodri Gomer Davies, Nathan Brew, James Davies, Matt Evans, Joe Bearman, Nicky Griffiths.

“It is a part of rugby that the end of each season sees a certain amount of player movement,” said Dragons Director of Rugby Robert Beale. “These players have all put in a great deal of effort for the Dragons and we would like to thank them for the commitment they have shown to the region during their time here.”

“These are two important signings for us,” said Dragons Forwards Coach Danny Wilson. “I worked with Tom for 2 seasons at London Welsh and he is a great ball-carrier with a fantastic turn of pace.

“He was unfortunate on joining the Blues last season that a knee injury prevented him from cementing his place in the squad early in the season but he has put in some strong performance since his return to fitness. He has a great character and his work ethic will fit in with the boys really well.

27-year old Williams appeared for the Scarlets back in 2003, followed by stints with Llanelli and Narbeth before making the move across the bridge in 2007.

“Nathan’s a strong scrummager. The Mosely pack has a reputation for its dominance and Nathan has been an important part of that. He will bring extra competition for places in the front row and of course he is a Welshman and it’s great to be bringing him home.”

A product of Llandovery College and Milford Haven Rugby Club, Williams has represented Wales at U16, U17, U18, U19, U21 and Welsh Clubs XV.

Starting his career in the back row, the trained rigger-banksman is known in the English National One, not only for his scrummaging but also for his handling and pace.

“I’m really looking forward to coming back to Wales,” said Williams. I can’t wait for pre-season so I can start with the squad and look at getting into the team.

“I’ve seen how much things have developed at Rodney Parade on and off the field. Of course, the Dragons getting 5 players in the squad for the Barbarians is a great boost and shows that this is a side on the up.”

Tom Brown joined the Cardiff Blues in the summer of 2010 and made several starts for the region in their 2010/11 campaign.

The former Wales U21 international played for the Wales under 21 side in the Six Nations and was selected for the U21 World Cup in 2004 playing against South Africa, England, France and Russia.

That same year Tom represented Wales in rugby league, at the European Nations Cup, having previously played rugby league for conference side Gloucester Warriors before getting involved with England Lionhearts.

Nathan Williams
DOB 5th October 1983
Height 1.82m (6’ 0”)
Weight 117kg (18st.5lb)
Position Prop

Tom Brown
DOB 20th May 1983
Height 1.88 m (6′ 2")
Weight 110 kg (17 st 4 lb)
Position Back Row

Props Tom Court and Declan Fitzpatrick have returned to full fitness and will pack down alongside skipper Rory Best in the front row. Their return to action sees Paddy McAllister and Jerry Cronin named among the replacements.

Willie Faloon suffered a shoulder injury in training and is unavailable for selection so Robbie Diack is promoted from the bench to play number 8. As a result, Pedrie Wannenburg moves to blindside flanker and Chris Henry switches to the openside flank. TJ Anderson, who will join Connacht in the summer, is given a position on the bench as back row cover.

The backline is unchanged from the win over Connacht at Ravenhill two weeks ago, with Darren Cave and Nevin Spence continuing their centre partnership.

Ireland internationals Stephen Ferris (knee), Paddy Wallace (thumb) and Andrew Trimble (thumb) remain unavailable for selection due to injury, as does BJ Botha (knee).

All six final round Magners League games will kick off at same time so there are many permutations for the play-offs; only Munster are certain of a home semi final on the weekend of 13/14th May.

Ulster require only a losing bonus point against the Dragons to ensure progression to the knock out stages. However a win for the Ulstermen, coupled with a Leinster defeat against Glasgow, would secure a home semi final spot.

Ulster Team v Dragons (Magners League, Rodney Parade, Friday 6th May, KO 7.05pm)

(15-9): A D’Arcy; C Gilroy, D Cave, N Spence, S Danielli; I Humphreys, R Pienaar;
(1-8): T Court, R Best (capt), D Fitzpatrick, J Muller, D Tuohy, P Wannenburg, C Henry, R Diack;

Replacements (16-23): A Kyriacou, P McAllister, J Cronin, T Barker, T Anderson, P Marshall, I Whitten, C Gaston.

“I’m delighted to be playing again for the region,” said Jones. “It’s just about being given an opportunity to prove yourself and obviously last week couldn’t have gone much better for me.

In a largely unchanged side from the landmark victory against their local rivals, Pat Leach replaces centre Ashley Smith who is to be rested and Dan Way comes in for Ben Castle.

“Ashley could have made it this weekend,” said Dragons Head Coach Darren Edwards “but he has worked really hard all season and we wanted to look after him to make sure he’s ready for next season. We also wanted to take to opportunity to further expose Dan Way to Magners League rugby.”

Newport Gwent Dragons
Stefan Jones, Adam Hughes, Tom Riley, Pat Leach, Aled Brew, Jason Tovey, Wayne Evans; Phil Price, Lloyd Burns, Dan Way, Luke Charteris, Adam Jones, Danny Lydiate, Gavin Thomas, Toby Faletau.

Replacements
Tom Willis, Hugh Gustafson, Ben Castle, Andrew Coombs, Joe Bearman, Matthew Watkins, Jon Evans, Mathew Jones.

Referee: Alan Lewis
Assistant Referees: Tim Hayes, Sean Bricknell