WARREN Gatland’s World Cup hopefuls aren’t the only ones trying to avoid fluffing their lines this afternoon – the Newport Gwent Dragons squad get a last chance to push for a starting spot in their Guinness Pro12 opener.

Director of rugby Lyn Jones will give a first hint of his thinking for Friday’s curtain-raiser against Connacht when he takes his team to the capital to face Cardiff Blues.

The Dragons used 32 players in a 48-12 friendly success against Nottingham in Ystrad Mynach and 38 in last weekend’s 29-20 loss to the Scarlets at Rodney Parade.

The management have named a 29-strong squad for the trip to the capital but plan to give a sizeable amount of game time to the more seasoned campaigners.

However, there are still places up for grabs, especially in the ultra-competitive areas of the back row, wing and for the right to be Rynard Landman’s partner in the second row.

Tighthead Brok Harris is not selected but head coach Kingsley Jones said in midweek that he expects the South African front row forward to be fit for Connacht.

"There are players we need to see playing, there are players who need to play and others who don't need to play," he said.

Full-back Geraint Rhys Jones, flanker James Benjamin and wing Ashton Hewitt are poised to double up after featuring in the finals night of the Singha Premiership 7s.

Fellow seniors Matthew Pewtner, Angus O’Brien, Ollie Griffiths and Luc Jones sit out the game in the capital after playing at the Twickenham Stoop.

While pre-season results count for little, Lyn Jones’ charges would head for Galway with a spring in their step if they can repeat their Boxing Day heroics at the Arms Park.

They ended a 11-year wait for a win in the capital when they stunned the Blues 23-17 thanks to an Elliot Dee effort and a penalty try, both scores coming from impressive driving lineouts.

Highly-rated former Dragons forwards coach Danny Wilson is now at the helm for today’s host and he has handed a start to fly-half Rhys Patchell following his release from Wales’ World Cup squad.

Tavis Knoyle is his half-back partner while Josh Navidi captains the side and forms an experienced back row with Josh Turnbull and Manoa Vosawai.

Cardiff Blues: D Fish, C Knight, T Isaacs, G Evans, O Jenkins, R Patchell, T Knoyle, S Hobbs, E Lewis, T Filise, J Hoeata, J Down, J Turnbull, J Navidi (captain), M Vosawai.

Replacements (from): T Davies, L Belcher, C Lewis, R Williams, D Lewis, C Mitchell, S Davies, M Normandale, C Dicomidis, B Roach, J Groves, E Jenkins, M Cook, M Hale, L Jones, J Evans, G Davies, T Morgan-Gee, A Thomas, G Smith, H Davies.

Dragons squad: C Meyer, G R Jones, T Prydie, A Brew, A Warren, B Nightingale, R Wardle, N Scott, A Hewitt, J Tovey, D Jones, S Pretorius, C Davies, P Price, B Stankovich, R Thomas (captain), H Gustafson, S Knight, L Fairbrother, C Hill, J Davies, R Landman, M Screech, L Evans, N Crosswell, N Cudd, J Benjamin, E Jackson, J Thomas.