DRAGONS V BLUES (Tonight, KO 7.05)

IT’S NOT an exaggeration to say that the first name on the Newport Gwent Dragons teamsheet is not captain Ashley Smith but second row Robert Sidoli.

Granted, the 32-year-old is the only specialist lock available to head coach Darren Edwards for this evening’s derby clash with Cardiff Blues.

But Sidoli has been one of the star performers this season for the Dragons, performing with gusto both at the set piece and around the park.

He has played in all but four of the region’s 25 games (two of which were in the LV= Cup) and has barely had a breather.

The Dragons have played 33 hours and 20 minutes so far this term and the second row has featured in all but 6 hours 18 minutes of them.

It is December 4 since the region last played any RaboDirect Pro12 action without Sidoli on the pitch and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I am one of those players who wants to play every game and every minute,” said the Merthyr-born forward.

“Lock has been a problem position with three of the four we had at the start of the season (Scott Morgan, Adam Jones and Luke Charteris) going down injured. Then obviously Luke came back against Munster and was called straight back into the Wales squad.

“It’s a shame that we haven’t been able to develop competition for places but that’s the way it goes and I am just enjoying my rugby.

“I don’t think it’s my place to say how well I am doing but the coaches seem to be happy enough with me and I think I am getting better as a player.”

Sidoli will pack down alongside Jevon Groves in the second row against the Blues this evening and is full of admiration for the 23-year-old.

Groves has played most of his burgeoning career in the back row but needs must and he has shifted forward.

“I think that he has been excellent,” said Sidoli.”

He is a talented player and doesn’t just cover the position, he plays it well.

“Jevon is just an excellent all round player. He has the physique to be a good link player but his contact area skills are also really good and he is also excellent in the lineout.

“He has a really good skill set and that ability to play lock and in the back row is really valuable for the squad.

“What is hard is having to learn the details at one position and then having to move to another but Jevon is an intelligent boy and is doing really well.”

Groves’ move from the back row to lock means that Darren Waters comes in at flanker for tonight’s derby encounter with Lewis Evans moving to blindside.

The only change to the backs sees Martyn Thomas return at full-back with Will Harries moving to the right wing in place of Tonderai Chavhanga.

The Blues welcome back inside centre Dafydd Hewitt, who has recovered from a hamstring injury.

Former Dragon Ceri Sweeney and Ben Blair move to the bench with Chris Czekaj moving from wing to fullback.

Teenage winger Harry Robinson makes his RaboDirect starting debut, having come off the bench against Leinster and Treviso, in place of Richard Mustoe who is out with a hip injury.

There is only one change in the forwards with Macauley Cook starting in the second row in place of the injured Paul Tito. T Rhys Thomas captains the side.

Dragons: M Thomas, W Harries, A Tuilagi, A Smith (c), A Brew, L Robling, W Evans, N Williams, S Jones, N Buck, J Groves, R Sidoli, L Evans, D Waters, T Brown.

Replacements: S Parry, P Price, D Way, H Ellis, H Stoddart, J Bedford, T Chavhanga, S Jones

Blues: Chris Czekaj, Harry Robinson, Gavin Evans, Dafydd Hewitt, Tom James, Dan Parks , Richie Rees, Xavier Rush, Martyn Williams, Michael Paterson, Cory Hill, Macualey Cook, Scott Andrews, T Rhys Thomas (c), Sam Hobbs

Replacements: Ryan Tyrell, John Yapp, Ryan Harford, Maama Molitika, Josh Navidi, Lewis Jones, Ceri Sweeney, Ben Blair

Not available due to injury: Casey Laulala (hamstring), Paul Tito (head), Richard Mustoe (hip), Gavin Henson (chest infection), Fau Filise (shoulder), James Down (ankle), Andries Pretorius (knee), Deiniol Jones (shoulders).