WALES winger Josh Adams will make his first appearance of the season for Cardiff in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship derby with the Dragons.

The speedster has been out of action since May because of knee and hernia problems but makes his return in the XV at the Arms Park.

Adams is one of two changes to the back line that enjoyed a stunning comeback win against Ulster last time out with fellow winger Harri Millard also starting, Wales powerhouse Mason Grady and Iwan Stephens both out through injury.

Up front, Daf Hughes is given the nod at hooker and Thomas Young starts at openside.

Head coach Matt Sherratt is expecting a typically full-blooded Welsh derby at Cardiff Arms Park but hopes another bumper home crowd can be the 16th man.

He said: “We are all really excited to get back on the pitch this weekend and there’s nothing better than a Welsh derby to do that.

“There is always a sense of excitement around derby matches and the boys are itching to get back out there in front of their supporters.

“We are expecting another big crowd at the Arms Park and that passionate, home support can make a real difference to the boys on the pitch.

“Our matches against the Dragons are almost always tight, cagey affairs that anyone can win.

“If you look at their recent results they scored last minute to beat the Ospreys, Sharks scored in about the 85th minute to beat them, and the Lions was close.

“They’re probably in the situation we found ourselves in and they’re just trying to get that last five minutes or that last moment over the line.

“Added to a change of coach, we expect the very best of the Dragons. Emotionally, obviously it’s a derby, but there’s usually a little bit of a bounce with new coaches as well.”

Cardiff Rugby: Cam Winnett; Josh Adams, Rey Lee-Lo, Ben Thomas (captain), Harri Millard; Callum Sheedy, Aled Davies; Ed Byrne, Daf Hughes, Keiron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, Ben Donnell, Thomas Young, Alun Lawrence.

Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Corey Domachowski, Rhys Litterick, Seb Davies, Alex Mann, Ellis Bevan, Rory Jennings, Gabriel Hamer-Webb.