Wainright and Faletau go head to head as Dragons face Cardiff

United Rugby Championship: Dragons v Cardiff

Venue: Rodney Parade, Newport Date: Thursday, 26 December Kick off: 17:15 GMT

Coverage: Watch on S4C via BBC iPlayer. Listen on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app. Highlights on the BBC Sport website and app.

A month before the Six Nations, Wales number eights Aaron Wainwright and Taulupe Faletau will go head to head as Dragons host Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship (URC) on Thursday, 26 December.

Cardiff make four changes for the Boxing Day derby, while the hosts make five.

Dragons have also confirmed interim head coach Filo Tiatia will miss the game to return home for family reasons.

Wales wing Rio Dyer and Jared Rosser return on the wings for the home side, while scrum-half Rhodri Williams is back to partner fly-half Angus O'Brien, who makes his 100th appearance for the region.

Lock Joe Davies is also recalled, while flanker Taine Basham's return at open-side sees Dan Lydiate shift to blind-side.

Gabriel Hamer-Webb comes in on the wing for Cardiff, who make three changes in the pack as hooker Dafydd Hughes, prop Kieron Assiratti and flanker Alex Mann come in.

Ben Thomas captains the side while Wales internationals Evan Lloyd and Ellis Bevan return to the replacements' bench.

Faletau has not played for Wales since the 2023 Rugby World Cup because of injury but impressed on his return from a shoulder injury against Cheetahs last weekend.

Wainwright was one of the few bright spots in Wales' dismal autumn series and Warren Gatland - now confirmed in his head coach role for the Six Nations - will no doubt have a keen eye on two of his more experienced players with France in Paris looming on 31 January.

Dragons' coaching team against Cardiff will be led by backs coach Matt O'Brien, with Tiatia having returned home to New Zealand to be with his father for his 80th birthday.

"When I first joined Dragons it was agreed that I would return home at this time to be with my father," explained Tiatia.

"I'd like to thank the club for their support and understanding around this significant moment for my family.

"The squad and coaching team have been fully aware of my return home throughout this block, and we have prepared as normal for the derby fixture before my departure.

"Matt O'Brien, supported by the wider coaching team, will now lead team affairs on Boxing Day before my return in preparation for the New Year's Day fixture with Scarlets."

Cardiff are the leading Welsh region in the URC.

They sit fourth after four wins and three defeats, while Dragons are bottom having lost six in a row since their opening-day victory at home against Ospreys.

Their last URC outing was November's 31-23 defeat at the Arms Park, where Cardiff stretched their winning streak against Dragons to 19 matches over a decade of derbies.

However, the Newport-based region did win at Newcastle in the European Challenge Cup last weekend, a first victory since Tiatia took the reins from Dai Flanagan.

Cardiff, who also won last weekend in Europe, have won on their last eight visits to Rodney Parade and have enjoyed two away victories in the URC this season.

"It's always an exciting time of year and there is a good buzz among the players as we approach back-to-back Welsh derbies," said Cardiff head coach Matt Sherrat.

"I always enjoy going to Rodney Parade. It feels like a proper old-school derby, packed to the rafters, especially after the warm-up when you walk off.

"You get a pretty hostile reception but that's what it's all about. I'm really looking forward to it and the players are as well.

"We only played the Dragons two games ago, so we don't expect much to change tactically in that time.

"But we just have to focus on ourselves, getting our own game right and making sure we put as much of it on the field, for as long as possible."

Tiatia added: "Cardiff Rugby are a good team. Their aspiration will be to come out with a win as well. It's not different to ours.

"Everyone is really looking forward to the game. We've watched Cardiff closely and we're neighbours - they would have done the same.

"It's going to be a sell-out, or close to it, and the traditions of the Boxing Day game are special."

Dragons: Huw Anderson; Rio Dyer, Joe Westwood, Aneurin Owen, Jared Rosser; Angus O'Brien (capt), Rhodri Williams; Rodrigo Martinez, Brodie Coghlan, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, Ryan Woodman, Dan Lydiate, Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Aki Seiuli, Paula Latu, Nick Thomas, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Che Hope, Will Reed, Cai Evans

Cardiff: Cameron Winnett; Josh Adams, Rey Lee-Lo, Ben Thomas (capt), Gabriel Hamer-Webb; Callum Sheedy, Aled Davies; Corey Domachowski, Dafydd Hughes, Kieron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, James Botham, Alex Mann, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Efan Lloyd, Danny Southworth, Rhys Litterick, Seb Davies, Alun Lawrence, Ellis Bevan, Rory Jennings, Tom Bowen.

Referee: Adam Jones (WRU)

Assistant referees: Ben Breakspear & Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

TMO: Keith David (WRU)