FORmer Blues Robin Sowden-Taylor and Scott Morgan make an early return to Cardiff tonight in Dragons colours.

The Rodney Parade new boys are both named in the team to face their old team-mates in the Martyn Williams testimonial.

And threequarters David Bishop and Will Harries make their first starts.

The Dragons have three centres on the sidelines - Ashley Smith, Matthew Watkins and Rhodri Gomer Davies so Bishop, who impressed as a replacement for Davies against London Irish, is handed his first start.

He is on a two-months trial with the Dragons after being released by Sale and looked the part last week. Coach Paul Turner would like to sign him but his hands are tied for budgetary reasons.

Harries has had a slight groin injury since making a fleeting Wales appearance in the second Test against the All Blacks in June, but is fit to reclaim his position on the wing.

Also missing are three scrum halves, Wayne Evans, Nicky Griffiths, though among the replacements, and Danny Lee, which means teenage hope Jonathan Evans is also handed his first start since his debut against the Ospreys in the final game of last season.

The game also provides another opportunity for back row forward Joe Bearman, who missed much of last season with a major groin injury, to prove his fitness while prop Hugh Gustafson starts again after his shoulder operation in the summer.

But missing are a quartet of Wales forwards - Dan Lydiate, Luke Charteris, Rob Sidoli and Gavin Thomas, though Lydiate is among the replacements and the other three are expected to be fit for the first league match against Connacht a week tomorrow.

Dragons coach Paul Turner said: “It promises to be a great occasion for Martyn and we’ve respected that with our selection.

“There are a few players just returning from a whole summer out with injury and more will hopefully return next week. Just like the Blues we are hoping we can stay injury free before the league starts.

“Tonight will be a tricky game for both camps as we meet again in three weeks at the same ground, being a local derby it promises to be a full blooded encounter, it’ll be an interesting evening and a fantastic occasion for Martyn.”

Dragons team: M Evans, W Harriess, T Riley, D Bishop, A Brew, J Tovey, J Evans, H Gustafson, T Willis (captain), B Castle, A Jones, S Morgan, J Bearman, H Ellis, R Sowden-Taylor. Replacements: S Jones, N Hall, P Palmer, A McKenzie, A Brown, D Lydiate, L Evans, J Groves, M Jones, N Griffiths, T Cooper, A Hughes, M Pewtner. Kick off 7.30pm.