New Lion Josh lines up for Blues as former favourite returns to Arms Park

NEW Lions wing Josh Adams is named in Cardiff Blues’ team to face the Dragons this afternoon (1pm), with former Arms Park favourite Jamie Roberts returning to his old home in an opposition side skippered by Ross Moriarty.

The two sides clash in the Rainbow Cup and it is an immediate chance for Adams (pictured) to show his tryscoring prowess after being called up by Warren Gatland’s Lions for the summer tour to South Africa.

Blues boss David Young has made nine changes to the side who fell to defeat against the Ospreys two weeks ago, with Adams among the big guns returning.

Four Wales internationals return in the tight five, props Rhys Carre and Dillon Lewis coming into the front row and Seb Davies and Cory Hill at lock.

Young back-rower Sam Moore also makes his comeback after five months out with a knee injury.

Blues director of rugby Young said:

“We learnt a few things against Ospreys, some positive and some things not so positive.

“We were playing against a much more experienced team. For big parts of the game we did okay, but it got away from us. It was an exercise that needed to happen.

“This week we’re much stronger. I wouldn’t say we’re at full strength, or what most people perceive to be full strength, but we’re much closer to it.”

The Dragons make seven changes from their 52-32 opening round win against the Scarlets, with former Lions and Wales centre Roberts picked to play against his former side.

Roberts started with Cardiff in 2005 and played for the Blues until his move to Racing Metro in 2013.

Roberts partners Aneurin Owen in midfield, while Argentine international Gonzalo Bertranou is also called up. Rhodri Williams is ruled out through injury.

Wales back-rower Ross Moriarty leads the team for the first time, with prop Leon Brown coming in up front alongside Josh Reynolds. A further change see a new second row pairing of Joe Davies and Matthew Screech.

Dragons boss Dean Ryan said: “We want to see a similar combination of youth and more experienced players together, it’s something we’ll look to do throughout this competition.

“We’ve introduced some players this week who didn’t feature first up against Scarlets and it is about hitting the same standards.”

CARDIFF BLUES: Hallam Amos; Jason Harries, Owen Lane, Max

Llewellyn, Josh Adams; Ben Thomas, Jamie Hill; Rhys Carre, Kirby Myhill (capt), Dillon Lewis, Seb Davies, Cory Hill, Josh Turnbull, Olly Robinson, Sam Moore.

REPLACEMENTS: Kristian Dacey, Brad Thyer, Will Davies-King, Teddy Williams, James Ratti, Ellis Bevan, Jarrod Evans, Willis Halaholo. DRAGONS: Ioan Davies; Jonah Holmes, Aneurin Owen, Jamie Roberts, Rio Dyer; Sam Davies, Gonzalo Bertranou; Josh Reynolds, Taylor Davies, Leon Brown, Joe Davies, Matthew Screech, Ross Moriarty (c), Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright

REPLACEMENTS: Rhys Lawrence, Greg Bateman, Chris Coleman, Ben Carter, Harrison Keddie, Dan Babos, Josh Lewis, Jack Dixon.