MAGNERS LEAGUE - NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS v CARDIFF BLUES
Venue: Rodney Parade Date: Monday, 27 December Kick-off: 1520 GMT
Coverage: Exclusively live on BBC TWO Wales & online, full commentary on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & online and score updates on BBC Radio 5 live & BBC Sport website

Tom Willis was named skipper when he signed for the Dragons in 2008

Tom Willis insists his Dragons will be fired up to make amends for their Heineken Cup humiliation in "arguably their biggest game of the season."

Coach Paul Turner lambasted his "inept" point-less Dragons as they crashed out of Europe with a thrashing by Wasps as they suffered their fourth Cup defeat.

Skipper Willis now returns for just his fifth start of the season to lead his men against Cardiff Blues on Monday.

"It is important we learn from Europe and move on very quickly," said Willis.

The Blues also crashed out of the Heineken Cup last weekend following back-to-back defeats against Northampton Saints but Dai Young's men have won the last eight south Wales derbies in the Magners League.

And Willis returns from a knee injury at just the right time to boost boss Turner ahead of their festive Welsh derby double-headers against the Blues and Scarlets on New Year's Day.

Fly-half Jason Tovey, Wales pair Dan Lydiate and Will Harries, centre Matthew Watkins and flanker Robin Sowden Taylor also join New Zealand hooker Willis back in the squad to ease Turner's injury woes.

The Dragons also hope to add to their rivals' away-day misery this season as the Blues have won just twice on the road - both against Italian opposition.

Turner's team have won three of their four home games this season in the Magners League - but that defeat was also against Welsh rivals when the Scarlets won 27-14 in September.

Willis, though, has undergone an injection to play against the Blues as the Dragons seek a reaction from their premature European exit and 37-10 capitulation to Wasps last Sunday.

"There was a bit of finger pointing, a bit of accountability and we had a review after Wasps which was very strong," admitted Willis.

"But we've addressed it and it is important we learn from it and move on very quickly for arguably our biggest fixture of the season."

The Blues maybe third in the Magners League but have won just twice in 10 games in all competitions - including their European disappointment.

But Willis, who has not beaten the capital side since arriving in Wales in 2008, is wary of a Blues backlash.

"My experience is that playing Cardiff Blues anytime will be tough," he said.

"We have a very healthy respect for their power game and their record against us so we know we are in for one hell of a challenge.

We have a very healthy respect for their power game and their record against us so we know we are in for one hell of a challenge Dragons captain Tom Willis

"Any team that is successful against the Blues has to match their physicality and intensity for a full 80 minutes.

"In recent times we have managed to that for 40 or 50 minutes but they always take it up another gear and finish us off."

The Dragons have won three of their last four Magners League fixtures after their "rough" start which has moved Turner's Men of Gwent up to eighth in the league.

Willis wants the Dragons to continue the momentum following their victory over Irish giants Munster in their last league game.

And Turner is glad to have his talisman back for such a crucial stage in their fixture list.

"Tom is a good leader, a good bloke, is well respected and a quality player," said the coach.

And Willis conceded it has been "hard" sitting on the sidelines but admits he feels "relatively fresh" and hopes to make "an effective contribution" should the game beat the weather.

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