NEWPORT Gwent Dragons' final warm-up for the Guinness Pro12 season will see them take on Cardiff Blues in the capital, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Rodney Parade side will make the short trip to BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday, August 29 (kick-off 2.30pm).

The game will clash with Wales' World Cup warm-up Test against Ireland in Dublin (also kick-off 2.30pm) but it was the only suitable slot.

The previous night would have seen them going up against the Singha Premiership Rugby 7s Finals at the Twickenham Stoop – which the pair both qualified for last year – while a Sunday fixture would have hindered preparations for the start of the Pro12 the following weekend.

It isn't the first time that the Dragons have travelled to the capital for a friendly – in 2010 they were beaten 19-3 at Cardiff City Stadium in Martyn Williams' testimonial.

The Dragons have already confirmed a home friendly against the Scarlets on Friday, August 21 (kick-off 7pm) and hope to announce another fixture, to be played on the weekend of August 14, soon.

Unlike previous seasons the Welsh regions will not be lining up against English top-flight opposition this summer because the Aviva Premiership does not start until the group stages of the World Cup are over and their clubs are playing each other in pre-season tournaments.

Dragons dates:

- Singha Premiership Rugby 7s Welsh qualifiers at Arms Park – Saturday, August 15

- Scarlets at Rodney Parade (kick-off 7pm) – Friday, August 21

- Singha Premiership Rugby 7s finals at Twickenham Stoop – Friday, August 28

- Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park (kick-off 2.30pm) – Saturday, August 29 (kick-off 2.30pm).

- Start of Guinness Pro12 – weekend of September 4