RODNEY Parade will become home to a fourth team when rugby returns next month – the Dragons’ fiercest rivals Cardiff Blues.

The men from the Arms Park will temporarily use the historic ground in Newport to entertain the Ospreys when bringing the curtain down on the 2019/20 Guinness PRO14 campaign.

It means a swift return to the home changing room for Wales lock Cory Hill, who followed Hallam Amos from the Dragons to the Blues this summer.

The fixture on Sunday, August 30 (kick-off 5pm) will take place the day after the Dragons return to the Parade to finish the season with a derby against the Scarlets (kick-off 5.15pm).

Dean Ryan’s men get back under way after six months of inactivity against the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday, August 23 (kick-off 2.15pm) with all four regional derbies taking place behind closed doors.

The Blues, who will pay a fee, are unable to use their ground in the capital as it is part of the Dragon’s Heart Hospital at Principality Stadium, which was set up in April because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Rodney Parade is home to Newport RFC, Newport County AFC and the Dragons, who are happy to help out when professional sport returns to the city for the first time since the Exiles beat Morecambe on March 7.

Free Press Series: HEADING HOME: Cory Hill will play at Rodney Parade for Cardiff BluesHEADING HOME: Cory Hill will play at Rodney Parade for Cardiff Blues

“We have always been fierce rivals on the field, but in these unprecedented times it is important that we can come together and support each other,” said managing director Mark Jones.

“We have now come to an agreement that will see Cardiff Blues play their final home game of the Guinness PRO14 season at Rodney Parade and we look forward to welcoming them to our home.

“As the busiest stadium in the United Kingdom, we are used to hosting back-to-back fixtures and I know the staff here will once again rise to the challenge as rugby returns to Rodney Parade.”

The Dragons had to take a derby on the road when they hosted the Blues in Caerphilly in 2017 because of a fixture clash with County.

Now their rivals have had to do likewise while helping during the coronavirus crisis, with the professional set-up at Rodney Parade that is needed for safety making it the only option ahead of one of the Premiership grounds in the region.

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Chief executive Richard Holland said: “We are obviously happy to continue supporting Cardiff and Vale University Health Board with the Dragon’s Heart Hospital but that meant we needed a new venue to play this game.

“Taking the game elsewhere in our region was not a realistic option due to the necessary compliance with Covid-19 protocols and our vast commercial obligations.

“Rodney Parade will obviously be fully Covid-19 compliant, has LED boards and boasts a fantastic playing surface.

“We are very grateful to our friends at the Dragons, who have come to our aid and we are now looking forward to getting back on the pitch.”

The 2020/21 season is scheduled to start on the first weekend of October.

If Dragon's Heart Hospital is still in use then it is likely that the Blues would ask the PRO14 to play away fixtures, although Rodney Parade could remain an option.

County are set to return to League Two action in September or October while Newport RFC face a longer wait, potentially until 2021.