The team news ahead of the Cardiff v Dragons derby on Boxing Day
12:19, 24 Dec 2025Updated 12:24, 24 Dec 2025
Taulupe Faletau and Aaron Wainwright go up against each other(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)
Cardiff and the Dragons have both made four changes for the Boxing Day derby clash at the Arms Park (KO: 3pm), as Wales number eights Taulupe Faletau and Aaron Wainwright go head to head.
For Cardiff, it is the same matchday 23 that lost to the Scarlets, but prop Rhys Barratt, lock Rory Thornton, flanker Alex Mann and Faletau are promoted from the bench.
The Dragons bring back Wainwright and former Cardiff hero Thomas Young, while hooker George Roberts and wing Huw Anderson also start as they look to make it three wins on the bounce.
History is against the Dragons though, with the Gwent side losing 21 straight matches against their rivals, stretching back a remarkable 11 years.
Cardiff coach Corniel Van Zyl says the club’s strong record counts for nothing this week, as they look to right the wrongs of the home defeat to the Scarlets last time out.
“It’s just making the crowd and the supporters proud of the performance that we put out, which I do believe we did get right [against Scarlets], but unfortunately it was a frustrating night for all,” he said.
“It’s just getting back to what we do instead of going down that lane of looking at previous results, it is big, but it’s actually irrelevant.”
Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia said: “We are under no illusion of the challenge in front of us. We understand we haven’t beaten Cardiff in a little while, but going to a special place like Arms Park is a great opportunity for us to put our game in place.
“They’re tough there, don’t get me wrong. They’ve got the crowd, we’re not at home, and that makes it a real challenge.
“Boxing Day derbies are very special. The players who get picked will be representing everyone at the club and our supporters as well.
“The boys are still a little bit banged up from Connacht, but we’re being really clear on how we want to play and just building on what we’ve started.”
Cardiff: Winnett; Adams, Millard, B Thomas, Grady; Sheedy, A Davies; Barratt, Belcher (capt), Sebastian, McNally, Thornton, Mann, D Thomas, Faletau.
Replacements: E Lloyd, Southworth, S Wainwright, Nott, Lawrence, Botham, Mulder, Beetham.
Dragons: O’Brien (co-capt); Anderson, Inisi, Owen, Dyer; de Beer, Hope; Martinez, Roberts, Hunt, Douglas, Carter (co-capt), Woodman, Young, Wainwright.
Replacements: Scarfe, W Jones, Dlamini, Screech, Keddie, Lewis-Hughes, R Williams, Richards.