BOSS Filo Tiatia has pledged that the Dragons will be ‘innovative’ when trying to end an 18-game losing streak against Cardiff – but he won’t be at Rodney Parade to guide them.

The Rodney Parade club will welcome their nearest rivals to Newport on Boxing Day (kick-off 5.15pm) with the aim of ending a miserable run that goes back to the Challenge Cup quarter-final win in 2015.

Interim head coach Tiatia has named his side for the United Rugby Championship derby clash but has returned to New Zealand for family reasons after leading the preparations.

He will return to call the shots at the Scarlets on New Year’s Day but attack coach Matt O’Brien will be in charge for the Cardiff game with the help of forwards coach Sam Hobbs.

Tiatia agreed with the Dragons when signing last summer - as defence coach to work under then boss Dai Flanagan - that he would go back to New Zealand to be with his father for his 80th birthday.

BOSS: Filo Tiatia has returned to New Zealand (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)

He said: “When I first joined Dragons it was agreed that I would return home at this time to be with my father. I’d like to thank the club for their support and understanding around this significant moment for my family.

“The squad and coaching team have been fully aware of my return home throughout this block, and we have prepared as normal for the derby fixture before my departure.

“Matt O’Brien, supported by the wider coaching team, will now lead team affairs on Boxing Day before my return in preparation for the New Year’s Day fixture with Scarlets."

The Dragons make five changes to the XV that enjoyed a much-needed, morale-boosting 22-14 win against Newcastle last time out.

Wales wing Rio Dyer comes in on the right flank with Jared Rosser returning on the left while Rhodri Williams starts at scrum-half.

The Dragons are without their leading four locks after Matthew Screech failed to recover in time from a concussion to join captain Ben Carter (knee), Steve Cummins and George Nott (both head injuries) on the sidelines.

CHANCE: Dragons lock Joe Davies (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)

That leads to Joe Davies getting a big chance with Ryan Woodman moving forward to partner him in the boilerhouse, with young Nick Thomas their deputy after impressing as an early replacement in Newcastle.

In-form Taine Basham is back at openside to make an all-international back row with Dan Lydiate and talisman Aaron Wainwright.

Wales hooker Elliot Dee, who hasn’t played since May because of an ankle injury, is set for his first appearance of the season off the bench.

The Dragons lost 31-23 when the sides met at the Arms Park at the end of November and their boss insists it won’t just be a case of doing the same again and hoping for a different result.

“Cardiff are a good team,” said Tiatia. “We are really looking forward to the game and we have watched them closely, and they will have done the same.

“It’s a great opportunity for the players that get selected. Rodney Parade will be nearly sold-out and I know how important Boxing Day is.

“We have to be a little bit innovative. We can’t be showing the same stuff all the time.

“It’s about capturing the moments and then executing, which is where we have been falling short.”

Cardiff feature Dragons legend Taulupe Faletau at number eight.

Dragons: Huw Anderson; Rio Dyer, Joe Westwood, Aneurin Owen, Jared Rosser; Angus O’Brien (captain), Rhodri Williams; Rodrigo Martinez, Brodie Coghlan, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, Ryan Woodman, Dan Lydiate, Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Aki Seiuli, Paula Latu, Nick Thomas, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Che Hope, Will Reed Cai Evans.

Cardiff: Cameron Winnett; Josh Adams, Rey Lee-Lo, Ben Thomas (captain), Gabriel Hamer-Webb; Callum Sheedy, Aled Davies; Corey Domachowski, Dafydd Hughes, Kieron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, James Botham, Alex Mann, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Efan Lloyd, Danny Southworth, Rhys Litterick, Seb Davies, Alun Lawrence, Ellis Bevan, Rory Jennings, Tom Bowen.