HEAD coach Kingsley Jones has named an unchanged side for Newport Gwent Dragons’ Guinness Pro12 derby at Cardiff Blues on Sunday.

The Dragons XV that stunned Gloucester in the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup will take to the plastic pitch at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park (kick-off 2.30pm).

Jones, who is holding the reins in the absence of ill director of rugby Lyn Jones, resists the temptation to ring the changes given they have a six-day turnaround to next Saturday’s semi-final in Montpellier.

There is just one change with Lloyd Fairbrother coming onto the bench in place of Shaun Knight as cover for tighthead Brok Harris.

That means the Dragons will once again go with a mobile pack containing Nick Crosswell, primarily a back row forward, at lock after the New Zealander’s magnificent display at Kingsholm.

“Nick Crosswell’s work rate should not be underestimated,” said Jones. “It’s easy to see the carrying and the sidestepping but the amount of work he gets through at the breakdown etcetera is phenomenal.

“He brought that to the game in Gloucester and Turnbull has done the same for the Blues, who are dangerous side with how they can play with pace on that surface and their breakdown work, you can add Gethin Jenkins into that.

“The challenge with the Blues is ball retention and making sure you look after possession through phases to build some momentum.”

The Dragons are looking to repeat last season’s stunning win in the capital and end a seven-game losing streak in the Pro12.

The Blues opt to move Josh Turnbull from lock into their back row alongside Sam Warburton and Ellis Jenkins, former All Black Jarrad Hoeata coming into the second row, while Kristian Dacey gets the nod ahead of Matthew Rees at hooker.

The hosts need a win in their bid for qualification for next season’s Champions Cup and head into the game fresh from an excellent derby win at the Scarlets.

“We know Gareth Anscombe and Rhys Patchell will switch the field and can play with a lot of width. Danny Wilson has done a good job there. They are a good side and it’s a big challenge,” said Jones.

“The Blues’ surface can be an advantage for them but not against us because we train on it every day. They have home advantage but not pitch advantage and we beat them there in pre-season and last time we played there.

“The Blues have improved out of sight (since Christmas) but I’d like to think we’ve improved in lots of areas and that it will be a really exciting game because both teams want to play.”

Cardiff Blues: R Patchell, D Fish, G Smith, R Lee-Lo, T James, G Anscombe, L Williams, G Jenkins (captain), K Dacey, T Filise, J Hoeata, J Down, E Jenkins, S Warburton, J Turnbull. Replacements: M Rees, B Thyer, D Lewis, M Vosawai, J Navidi, T Williams, H Millard, A Summerhill.

Newport Gwent Dragons: C Meyer, A Hughes, T Morgan, A Warren, H Amos, D Jones, S Pretorius, P Price, E Dee, B Harris, R Landman, N Crosswell, L Evans (captain), N Cudd, T Faletau. Replacements: R Buckley, B Stankovich, L Fairbrother, M Screech, E Jackson, C Davies, A O'Brien, GR Jones.

Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland)