KINGSLEY Jones believes it will be a modern back rower against an old school number eight when Newport Gwent Dragons’ Ed Jackson slugs it out with Cardiff Blues powerhouse Nick Williams this afternoon (kick-off 2.05pm).

The Dragons man, who turned down offers from England to sign a fresh Dragons contract at the start of the month, has been sorely missed since being sidelined after the Guinness Pro12 win against Edinburgh at the end of last month.

The 28-year-old Englishman pulled out of the away losses at Leinster and Worcester and home win against the Warriors late on with a number of niggles.

New Zealand Williams, meanwhile, has been out of action since October with a calf problem and the Blues’ form has dipped markedly without one of the most destructive ball carriers in the Pro12.

Former Wales flanker Jones is relishing the chance to see two quality, and contrasting, number eights return to the fray at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park.

“We’ve missed Ed, his dynamism and offloading game. He runs hard and gets through contacts – he is a modern day number eight whereas Nick Williams is a bit more old school I’d guess,” said the Dragons head coach.

“Ed covers most aspects of the game. He is competes at the breakdown, is a good defender and has a lot of pace.”

Jackson returns to the pack along with hooker Rhys Thomas and lock Cory Hill, who missed last week’s Challenge Cup win against Worcester through illness.

Wales centre Tyler Morgan comes into midfield while hard-running South African wing Pat Howard makes a welcome return after being out since the loss in Leinster at the start of the month with head and ankle injuries.

Fly-half Dorian Jones is poised for a first appearance of the season from the bench after overcoming a groin problem.

The Dragons’ matchday squad includes six players formerly on the books of Cardiff Blues – scrum-half Tavis Knoyle, loosehead Sam Hobbs, hooker Thomas, lock Hill, back-up prop Thomas Davies and reserve second row Matthew Screech.

Cardiff Blues: M Morgan, A Cuthbert, R Lee-Lo, W Halaholo, T James, S Shingler, L Williams, R Gill, K Dacey, S Andrews, M Cook, J Down, J Navidi, S Warburton (captain), N Williams. Replacements: K Myhill, B Thyer, T Filise, J Hoeata, E Jenkins, T Williams, N Robinson, C Allen.

Newport Gwent Dragons: T Prydie, P Howard, T Morgan, A Warren, A Hewitt, A O’Brien, T Knoyle, S Hobbs, R Thomas, L Fairbrother, C Hill, R Landman, L Evans (captain), O Griffiths, E Jackson. Replacements: E Dee, T Davies, B Harris, M Screech, N Crosswell, S Pretorius, D Jones, S Beard.

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)