NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have confirmed that their European Rugby Challenge Cup quarter-final against Cardiff Blues will be played at Rodney Parade.

The Dragons earned a home tie by topping Pool Three and will face their fiercest rivals on the first weekend of April.

There had been speculation that the derby could be switched to the Millennium Stadium but chairman Martyn Hazell, who revealed to the Argus on Sunday that his personal feeling was that it should stay in Newport, confirmed that the tie won’t be played on neutral territory.

“After a lot of speculation we, as a board, have made a unanimous decision to play it at our home ground,” he said.

“The players have worked very hard to earn home advantage so it doesn’t make sense to throw that away by playing at a neutral ground.

“I think it would be a great occasion to hold it in Newport at our own ground and with the loud backing of our own fans.”

The game will be an all-pay match with season ticket holders having priority booking for their seats.

Season ticket holders who book their tickets before a set date, which is yet to be confirmed, will receive a discount on their ticket and a discount on an additional ticket too.

The winners of the tie will travel to either London Irish or Edinburgh in the semi-finals.