BERNARD Jackman has challenged his Dragons players to make a statement in their bid for autumn selection when they take on their Wales rivals tomorrow.

The Rodney Parade region host Cardiff Blues in the Guinness PRO14 (kick-off 5.15pm) with the derby presenting a big chance to give Warren Gatland a nudge before he names his Test squad for clashes with Scotland, Australia, Tonga and South Africa.

Jackman has recalled lock and club captain Cory Hill along with his fellow Wales internationals hooker Elliot Dee, tighthead Leon Brown, openside Ollie Griffiths, number eight Ross Moriarty and scrum-half Rhodri Williams.

Fly-half Josh Lewis comes in for Arwel Robson (ankle), Brok Harris is preferred to Ryan Bevington at loosehead and Brandon Nansen gets the nod ahead of Rynard Landman, who has not trained fully this week so misses out on the 23 entirely with Huw Taylor covering lock from the bench.

After missing three games with a hamstring strain, Wales centre Tyler Morgan will make his return from the bench with Jarryd Sage and Adam Warren retained in midfield.

The Dragons’ matchday squad features 22 Welsh-qualified players – Nansen the odd one out – and the head coach expects the desire to earn a Test call-up to add extra spice in front of a bumper crowd in Newport.

“It’s natural, any derbies across the world when you are playing against your own countrymen, there is a little bit of extra motivation because of the international jersey,” he said.

“The international jersey in Wales is something that is a huge driver for players and I am sure on both sides there will be personal battles that people will want to get one up in.”

The Dragons are also fuelled by ending their nightmare 21-game losing streak in PRO14 derbies, a run that stretches back to their Boxing Day, 2014 triumph at the Arms Park.

“We need to perform really well, the Blues could easily be coming into this game with five wins,” said Jackman.

“They put in the best regional performance of the season against Munster, so we have massive respect for them.

“We’ve been focused more on ourselves than trying to find weaknesses in the Blues that aren’t there.”

With Robson and Gavin Henson (knee) sidelined, Jackman has opted to use full-back Jordan Williams as fly-half cover rather than novice Jacob Botica.

The summer signing from RGC instead pulls the strings for the Dragons A team against Leinster in the Celtic Cup clash at Ystrad Mynach.

The Blues are boosted by the return of Nick Williams and Josh Navidi, who join captain Ellis Jenkins in a formidable back row to lock horns with Aaron Wainwright, Griffiths and Moriarty.

Dragons: J Williams, D Howells, A Warren, J Sage, J Rosser, R Williams, B Harris, E Dee, L Brown, B Nansen, C Hill (captain), A Wainwright, O Griffiths, R Moriarty. Replacements: R Hibbard, R Bevington, A Jarvis, N Cudd, T Knoyle, T Morgan, W Talbot-Davies.

Cardiff Blues: M Morgan, O Lane, R Lee-Lo, W Halaholo, J Harries, G Anscombe, L Williams, B Thyer, K Dacey, D Arhip, G Earle, J Turnbull, J Navidi (captain), N Williams. Replacements: K Myhill, R Gill, D Lewis, M Cook, O Robinson, T Williams, J Evans, G Smith​

Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)