Taulubi Faletau: Wales got a boost as the number eight returned for Cardiff against the Dragons

Cardiff started the season with two wins in three matches and are fourth in the URC table.

The Dragons have gone 20 games without winning a league game since beating the Ospreys in September 2024, but Van Zyl is wary of their local rivals.

“It’s a Welsh derby, it’s always tense, and Rodney Parade is a tough place to go to,” Van Zyl said.

“The Dragons have rotated their team a bit in the last week, so they will be fresh and highly motivated to play us.

“They will throw everything at us, but we are excited about the challenge.”

Dragon: O’Brien (co-captain); Dyer, Owen, Ackerman, Ennessy; De Beer, R. Williams; W Jones, Coughlan, Hunt, S Davies, Carter (co-captain), Lewis Hughes, Beddall, Wainwright.

Replacements: Burroughs, Martinez, D. Lewis, Screech, Woodman, N. Armstrong, C. Evans, Anderson.

Cardiff:winette; Adams, Beetham, B. Thomas, Bowen; Sheedy, Davis. Domachowski, Belcher (captain), Asserati, McNally, Knott, Mann, De Thomas, Faletto.

Replacements: E. Lloyd, Southworth, Sebastian, Thornton, Lawrence, Basham, Mulder, I. Lloyd.

Judgment: Federico Fidovelli (FIR)

Assistant referees: Craig Evans (WRU), Adam Jones (WRU)

Tmo: Stefano Rossini (FIR).