LEWIS Evans will captain Newport Gwent Dragons for the first time in tomorrow’s derby clash with Cardiff Blues at Rodney Parade (kick-off 6.30pm).

He will start at openside and will be joined in the back row by number eight Toby Faletau and blindside Dan Lydiate, who is back after missing last week’s loss to Leinster with a minor chest injury.

The Dragons name the same set of three-quarters for the third game on the spin while it’s all change in the front row.

Phil Price, Steve Jones and Dan Way all return after staying in Wales while their colleagues were in Dublin last weekend.

The Blues hand a first start to Tom Williams at full-back while young Rhys Patchell is handed the number 10 jersey.

Wales and Lions centre Jamie Roberts will look to make an impact off the bench for the visitors, as will Dragons record points scorer Ceri Sweeney.

Newport Gwent Dragons: D Evans, W Harries, P Leach, A Tuilagi, T Prydie, Steffan Jones, J Evans, P Price, Steve Jones, D Way, I Nimmo, A Jones, D Lydiate, L Evans (captain), T Faletau. Replacements: H Gustafson, A Coundley, N Buck, J Groves, T Brown, L Davies, A Smith, A Hughes.

Cardiff Blues: T Williams, A Cuthbert, G Evans, D Hewitt, H Robinson, R Patchell, L Williams, N Trevett, M Breeze, T Filise, B Davies, J Down, J Navidi, S Warburton, A Pretorius (captain). Replacements: K Dacey, T Davies, B Bourrust, L Reed, R Watts-Jones, L Jones, C Sweeney, J Roberts.