Wales Number Eights Wainwright and Faletau Set for Clash

Aaron Wainwright was out for three months this year due to injury, while Taulupe Faletau faced an eight-month absence. The United Rugby Championship match between Dragons and Cardiff will be held at Rodney Parade in Newport on Thursday, 26 December, with a kick-off scheduled for 17:15 GMT. Coverage will be available to watch on S4C via BBC iPlayer, and to listen on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website and app. Highlights will also be accessible on the BBC Sport website and app. One month prior to the Six Nations tournament, Welsh number eights Aaron Wainwright and Taulupe Faletau are scheduled to compete against each other when Dragons welcome Cardiff for a United Rugby Championship (URC) fixture on Thursday, 26 December. Cardiff will implement four squad alterations for the Boxing Day derby, whereas the home team will introduce five. Additionally, Dragons have announced that interim head coach Filo Tiatia will be absent from the match as he travels home for family commitments. For the home team, Wales wingers Rio Dyer and Jared Rosser are reinstated to the wings. Scrum-half Rhodri Williams rejoins the lineup to play alongside fly-half Angus O’Brien, who is set to achieve his 100th cap for the region. Lock Joe Davies is also brought back into the squad, and flanker Taine Basham’s re-entry at open-side flanker results in Dan Lydiate moving to blind-side flanker. Gabriel Hamer-Webb is included on the wing for Cardiff, who are making three adjustments to their forward pack with the inclusion of hooker Dafydd Hughes, prop Kieron Assiratti, and flanker Alex Mann. Ben Thomas will lead the team as captain, and Wales internationals Evan Lloyd and Ellis Bevan are back among the substitutes. Among the Dragons’ replacements are Wales international Elliot Dee, potentially making his initial appearance of the season, and Shane Lewis-Hughes, who returns less than three weeks after undergoing a finger amputation. Faletau has been absent from the Wales squad since the 2023 Rugby World Cup due to injury, but he delivered a strong performance upon his comeback against Cheetahs last weekend. Wainwright stood out as one of the limited positive aspects during Wales’ disappointing autumn series. Warren Gatland, whose head coach position for the Six Nations has now been confirmed, is expected to closely observe these two experienced players, especially with the match against France in Paris scheduled for 31 January. The Dragons’ coaching responsibilities for the Cardiff fixture will be overseen by backs coach Matt O’Brien, as Tiatia has traveled back to New Zealand to celebrate his father’s 80th birthday. Tiatia stated, “When I first joined Dragons it was agreed that I would return home at this time to be with my father.” He added, “I’d like to thank the club for their support and understanding around this significant moment for my family.” Tiatia further commented, “The squad and coaching team have been fully aware of my return home throughout this block and we have prepared as normal for the derby fixture before my departure.” He concluded, “Matt O’Brien, supported by the wider coaching team, will now lead team affairs on Boxing Day before my return in preparation for the New Year’s Day fixture with Scarlets.” Cardiff currently holds the top position among Welsh regions in the URC standings. They occupy fourth place overall with a record of four victories and three losses, whereas Dragons are at the bottom, having suffered six consecutive defeats since their initial home win against Ospreys. The Dragons’ most recent URC match was a 31-23 loss at the Arms Park in November, a result that extended Cardiff’s victorious run against them to 19 games across ten years of derby encounters. Nevertheless, the Newport-based team secured a win against Newcastle in the European Challenge Cup last weekend, marking their first triumph since Tiatia assumed leadership from Dai Flanagan. Cardiff, also victorious in Europe last weekend, has claimed wins in their previous eight trips to Rodney Parade and has recorded two away victories in the URC during the current season. Cardiff head coach Matt Sherrat commented, “It’s always an exciting time of year and there is a good buzz among the players as we approach back-to-back Welsh derbies.” He continued, “I always enjoy going to Rodney Parade. It feels like a proper old-skool derby, packed to the rafters, especially after the warm-up when you walk off.” Sherrat added, “You get a pretty hostile reception but that’s what it’s all about. I’m really looking forward to it and the players are as well.” He also stated, “We only played the Dragons two games ago so we don’t expect much to change tactically in that time.” Sherrat concluded, “But we just have to focus on ourselves, getting our own game right and making sure we put as much of it on the field, for as long as possible.” Tiatia remarked, “Cardiff Rugby are a good team. Their aspiration will be to come out with a win as well. It’s not different to ours.” He further stated, “Everyone is really looking forward to the game. We’ve watched Cardiff closely and we’re neighbours – they would have done the same.” Tiatia concluded, “It’s going to be a sell-out or close to it, and the traditions of the Boxing Day game are special.” The Dragons’ lineup is as follows: Huw Anderson; Rio Dyer, Joe Westwood, Aneurin Owen, Jared Rosser; Angus O’Brien (capt), Rhodri Williams; Rodrigo Martinez, Brodie Coghlan, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, Ryan Woodman, Dan Lydiate, Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright. Replacements include: Elliot Dee, Aki Seiuli, Paula Latu, Nick Thomas, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Che Hope, Will Reed, Cai Evans. Cardiff’s team features: Cameron Winnett; Josh Adams, Rey Lee-Lo, Ben Thomas (capt), Gabriel Hamer-Webb; Callum Sheedy, Aled Davies; Corey Domachowski, Dafydd Hughes, Kieron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, James Botham, Alex Mann, Taulupe Faletau. Substitutes are: Efan Lloyd, Danny Southworth, Rhys Litterick, Seb Davies, Alun Lawrence, Ellis Bevan, Rory Jennings, Tom Bowen. The match officials are: Referee: Adam Jones (WRU); Assistant referees: Ben Breakspear & Ben Whitehouse (WRU); TMO: Keith David (WRU).