Welsh URC Derby: Cardiff Rugby And Dragons Prepare For Boxing Day Clash
Welsh URC Derby: Cardiff Rugby And Dragons Prepare For Boxing Day Clash
Cardiff Rugby faces Dragons Rugby in a fierce URC Welsh derby on Boxing Day. Key matchups, including Faletau vs. Wainwright, add excitement to the showdown.
Cardiff Rugby and Dragons Rugby are set to renew their rivalry in the Welsh United Rugby Championship derby at Rodney Parade on Boxing Day .
The highly anticipated clash promises fierce competition and features key matchups, including the head-to-head battle between Wales No. 8s Taulupe Faletau and Aaron Wainwright, just a month before the Six Nations kicks off.
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Faletau, recently returned from an eight-month injury layoff, will make his second appearance since April.
Meanwhile, Wainwright, one of Wales’ standout players in a tough year, aims to maintain his impressive form.
With Wales head coach Warren Gatland keeping an eye on his squad ahead of the Six Nations, the performances of these seasoned players will be crucial.
Cardiff enters the derby as the top-performing Welsh side in the URC, sitting fourth on the table with four wins.
The Dragons, by contrast, are at the bottom, having lost six consecutive league matches since their opening win over Ospreys. However, the Dragons recently ended their winless streak with a morale-boosting victory against Newcastle in the European Challenge Cup.
Louie Hennessey, a promising Wales U20s center on loan from Bath, joins Cardiff for the festive fixture. The 20-year-old adds a new dynamic to Cardiff's midfield, complementing established players such as Rey Lee-Lo and Ben Thomas.
Both teams have made adjustments for the encounter.
Cardiff sees Alex Mann's return in the pack, with Gabriel Hamer-Webb joining the backline. The Dragons welcome back flanker Taine Basham and Wales international Elliot Dee, who could make his season debut from the bench.
Dragons interim head coach Matt O’Brien will lead the team in Filo Tiatia’s absence, as Tiatia returns to New Zealand for family reasons. Cardiff head coach Matt Sherrat highlighted the derby’s significance, emphasizing the electric atmosphere at Rodney Parade.
With Cardiff riding a decade-long winning streak against the Dragons, including eight consecutive victories at Rodney Parade, the visitors are favorites. However, the Dragons’ recent resurgence adds intrigue to what promises to be a thrilling Boxing Day encounter.
Dragons
Huw Anderson; Rio Dyer, Joe Westwood, Aneurin Owen, Jared Rosser; Angus O'Brien (capt), Rhodri Williams; Rodrigo Martinez, Brodie Coghlan, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, Ryan Woodman, Dan Lydiate, Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Aki Seiuli, Paula Latu, Nick Thomas, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Che Hope, Will Reed, Cai Evans
Cardiff
Cameron Winnett; Josh Adams, Rey Lee-Lo, Ben Thomas (capt), Gabriel Hamer-Webb; Callum Sheedy, Aled Davies; Corey Domachowski, Dafydd Hughes, Kieron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, James Botham, Alex Mann, Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Efan Lloyd, Danny Southworth, Rhys Litterick, Seb Davies, Alun Lawrence, Ellis Bevan, Rory Jennings, Tom Bowen.
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