Cardiff go top of URC while Dragons' wait for first league win over neighbours since 2014 goes on
Dragons have also gone 21 games without a league win
Dragons made 10 changes from the side thrashed by Glasgow last weekend but come up short again
Taulupe Faletau plays first match of 2025-26 with the watching Steve Tandy set to name Wales squad next Tuesday
Alex Mann crosses for game's first try in opening minute but Brodie Coghlan quickly responds for Dragons
Faletau scores Cardiff's second try before Dan Thomas crosses in entertaining opening quarter to give visitors 17-7 half-time lead
Danny Southworth scores bonus-point try for Cardiff in scrappy second half before Ben Carter crosses for Dragons and Angus O'Brien's late penalty gives hosts a losing bonus point
HT: Dragons 7-17 Cardiff
Gareth Griffiths
BBC Sport Wales at Rodney Parade
Cardiff will be pleased with the control they had in that first half and the manner in which they repelled the Dragons attack.
They will know a 10-point lead will be tested though.
Both Tinus de Beer and Callum Sheedy have struggled kicking at goal with two efforts apiece missed off the tee. We wait to see if that will have any bearing on the final result.
Wainwright is pinged for lifting Faletau's legs above the horizontal in an eight-on-eight challenge.
There's a little wave of apology but there is no malice in that.
But it does end the half and Cardiff take a 10-point lead into the sheds.
Dragons 7-17 Cardiff
Cardiff's pack have been ruthless but their backs still look like they haven't got out of second gear.
Another attack drifts away with individuals doing their own thing.
They'll have their pack to thank for this half-time lead.
Dragons 7-17 Cardiff
Italian referee Federico Vedovelli pulls Ben Carter to one side to warn him about Dragons players not rolling away in the tackle.
It was only a matter of time.
Next one is a yellow card.
Dragons 7-17 Cardiff
Ken Owens
Former Wales hooker on S4C
Cardiff have turned up tonight, got the basics right and built the game from their defence.
They haven't created much, but they've put enough pressure on the Dragons score three tries.
Dragons 7-17 Cardiff
OK this is getting silly now.
Callum Sheedy tries a quick restart but simply runs into trouble and Dragons win another penalty.
De Beer fancies it again - to be fair to him - but is off target again.
That's six points gone begging in three minutes.
Dragons 7-17 Cardiff
Tinus de Beer was directly in line with the posts but pushes his kick wide.
What's going on with the kickers tonight?
I don't think there's a breath of wind.
Dragons 7-17 Cardiff
Dyer has tried running off that quad problem but has to give up.
That's two players off already for Dragons as this first half goes from bad to worse.
Huw Anderson is on and he's an exciting young prospect.
Dragons 7-17 Cardiff
Andrew Coombs
Former Wales lock on S4C
I like seeing forwards kick the ball.
I liked doing it myself, although it often didn't end well for me.
Dragons 7-17 Cardiff
Alex Mann boots the ball straight out of play just when Cardiff spot a potential opening.
Maybe the bandage around his head slipped down around his eyes?
Or maybe it's just proof that forwards shouldn't kick.
Dragons 7-17 Cardiff
Rio Dyer having treatment for a second time. Dragons will not want to lose him.
But they are losing prop Rob Hunt. That's a shame because he's had a lively start.
Dillon Lewis on earlier than expected against his former team.
This will be interesting. They still sell his coffee at the Arms Park!
Dragons 7-17 Cardiff
Andrew Coombs
Former Wales lock on S4C
At the moment I look at both sets of backs and the Dragons look more dangerous.
We've seen Cardiff score three tries just from their forwards. We haven't really seen much from Cardiff's backs.
Dragons 7-17 Cardiff
Honest words from the Dragons defence coach, though it doesn't take an expert to realise something is wrong.
Another Dragons attack fizzles out with a missed pass.
They just don't seem to be on the same page.
Dragons 7-17 Cardiff
Dragons coach Dale MacLeod speaking to S4C: "It's not good enough to be fair, it's very disappointing.
"We just have to stay calm and keep building. The boys are trying to do something good on the back of something good.
"All we have to do is just maintain possession and build pressure and we'll put ourselves in the right part of the field."
Dragons 7-17 Cardiff
Gareth Griffiths
BBC Sport Wales at Rodney Parade
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyCardiff have been very clinical so far with the back-row trio of Alex Mann, Taulupe Faletau and Dan Thomas all crossing.
Fly-half Callum Sheedy has missed two conversions. His goal-kicking will be the main concern for the Wales selectors when new head coach Steve Tandy considers whether to recall the in-form Cardiff fly-half.
Dragons 7-17 Cardiff
Ken Owens
Former Wales hooker on S4C
That was good patient play from Cardiff. They went through the phases knowing an opportunity would arise.
Dragons need to be harder in the tackles tonight, it's just too easy for Cardiff.
Dan Thomas
I'm afraid Andrew that Cardiff are over for a third.
Yet again it is a penalty that gives Cardiff easy territory and then it is just ruthless efficiency in the way they recycle the ball.
George Nott gives the scoring pass to Dan Thomas but the try is inevitable as Dragons run out of numbers.
Again Callum Sheedy is well wide with his conversion. That's four points gone already.
Dragons 7-12 Cardiff
Andrew Coombs
Former Wales lock on S4C
It was for too easy for Cardiff to score.
The Dragons have no intensity in defence. When they have the ball they've been dynamic, but in defence they haven't shown up tonight.
Dragons 7-12 Cardiff
And now it's a real derby with the first scuffle. That didn't take long!
Adams hammers his opposite number Inisi into touch, but Dragons feel he tipped him up.
Lots of pushing and shoving but it quickly calms.
Wonderful break by Angus O'Brien beforehand.
Dragons 7-12 Cardiff
Andrew Coombs
Former Wales lock on S4C
We've seen the Dragons miss tackles all season. They need to improve their defence and their discipline tonight.
