WITH a record of played four, won three at Rodney Parade it's no surprise to hear that Sam Warburton loves playing in Newport for Cardiff Blues.

The Wales captain declares that derbies are always "awesome" but it will be extra special on Saturday afternoon when the men from the capital make the short trip to Newport Gwent Dragons in the quarter-finals of the European Rugby Challenge Cup (kick-off 12.45pm).

The sides have traded away wins in the Guinness Pro12 this season with the Dragons causing a 23-17 upset at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park before the tables were turned 11-9 in Newport.

Warburton was to the fore in that victory and is excited by another chance to earn bragging rights and a semi-final showdown at either London Irish or Edinburgh.

"Derby matches are awesome and this match is probably the biggest for both clubs in a few years," said the 26-year-old openside, who was rested in the loss to Ulster last Friday after enjoying a stunning Six Nations campaign.

"The Blues have not been involved in any knockout rugby for a couple of seasons and it's the same for the Dragons at European level.

"It's a huge fixture and to have to go down to Rodney Parade with all that riding on the game will be one of the best domestic atmospheres I have been involved with.

"The Rodney Parade crowd is always great to play in front in a normal Welsh derby. Chuck a quarter-final on it and I'm sure it will be very hostile.

"I am sure the home crowd will be a massive advantage for the Dragons but I personally love Rodney Parade and it is my favourite ground to travel to play in and it's only down the road.

"So it's my favourite derby. We have both won against us each other away from home this season so this will be the decider.

"We are pretty level at the moment which is shown in our standings in the league and similar in our form to the Dragons so it will be a great evenly matched game."

There are question marks over who will go toe-to-toe with Warburton as Nic Cudd, one of the Dragons' best performers this season, has been troubled by a neck injury.

Young opensides James Benjamin and Ollie Griffiths shared the duties in last Saturday's excellent 32-17 win against Treviso that lifted the region above the Blues into ninth.

Tickets, priced from £10 to £35, are still available for the derby. Go to newportgwentdragons.com/tickets or ring 01633 674990.