Martyn Williams has made more than 100 Blues appearances

Cardiff Blues will take on Newport Gwent Dragons as their second pre-season match on Friday 27 August.

The fixture will also double as a testimonial match for veteran open-side flanker Martyn Williams and raise money for selected charities.

Williams, who has made more than 100 appearances for the Blues, says that he is "honoured" by the testimonial.

"I'm not aware of Cardiff or the Blues ever arranging a fixture for a player before so it's very humbling," he said.

It will be the teams' first meeting since the Blues' 14-20 victory in the Magners League in April, and Williams is aware of the challenge posed by his regional rivals.

"The Dragons were one of the most improved sides last season and they've got a great squad down there which they've strengthened during the summer," added the 34-year-old Williams, who joined Cardiff from Pontypridd in 1999 before Wales' switch to regional teams.

"They are starting to get the recognition they maybe should have had earlier."

"When I first joined Cardiff our biggest rivals were always Newport."

To play another Welsh region in a pre-season friendly is a bit special Blues flanker Martyn Williams

"The atmosphere - because they were local derbies - was always brilliant, so to play another Welsh region in a pre-season friendly is a bit special."

The Blues will be going into the match full of confidence after lifting the Amlin Cup and ending the 2009/10 season with a succession of nine straight wins.

"We need to build on the wins we had and keep driving forward," Williams said.

"The Dragons match will be quite an intense battle, so should stand us in good stead."

Cardiff Blues' first pre-season fixture will be against Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Saturday 21 August.

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