Both Cardiff Blues and Bath Rugby won their opening two games against Bristol Rugby and Pau, but a single bonus point separates the sides going into round three, with Wales' Capital Region sitting on top of Pool Four.
Sam Warburton has been named captain for Saturday’s clash, as the back-row forward has overcome the virus that ruled him out of last week’s Guinness PRO12 clash with Ulster and leads the side in the absence of Gethin Jenkins.
With a mounting injury list, Wilson has been forced to make three further changes to his starting line-up with Rhys Gill coming in for Jenkins.
Elsewhere, Seb Davies replaces Josh Turnbull at blindside flanker and Matthew Morgan pulls on the number 15 jersey with Blaine Scully switching back to the wing.
With six back-row forward currently on the sidelines, hooker Kirby Myhill has been selected as cover on the replacements bench.
Meanwhile, Charlie Ewels and Elliott Stooke both return to the Bath Rugby line-up for the visit to the Welsh capital.
Ewels returns to the side after his call-up to the England squad over the autumn test series, while Stooke returns from injury.
Flanker Matt Garvey leads the side, while the back-line boasts considerable attacking threat from the likes of Semesa Rokoduguni, Ben Tapuai, Tom Homer and former Cardiff Blues player Darren Allinson.
Experienced internationals such as Anthony Watson, Rhys Priestland and Dave Denton were unavailable for selection.
What They Said
Head coach Danny Wilson remains optimistic ahead of Saturday’s game despite a number of players ruled out with injuries.
Wilson said: “Despite the number of injuries within the squad we have still been able to select a strong side and are looking forward to the challenge.
“We’ve made a good start to the competition with wins over Bristol and Pau to go top of the group but this will be a step up again. The aim is a home win to keep us in that hunt.
“The boys and physios have worked really hard this week to ensure we have prepared well and we are ready to put in a performance in front of our own fans.”
Meanwhile, scrum-half Lloyd Williams has highlighted the importance of Saturday’s fixture, as his side hope to continue their fine form in Europe.
“It is an iconic fixture and a massive game for us as a club. Everyone’s chomping at the bit to play and is one of those games where everyone’s putting there hands up in training,” said Williams.
“This weekend is really important if we want to get through the group, we’re putting everything into this week and it is a game that we really want to come out with the result.
“We really want silverware, like every team, and if we can do well in the European Challenge Cup and in the Guinness PRO12 that’s better for us. It’s a tough group and that’s games we want to play in. The better the games are the better it is for the players and the region.
“It’s a big weekend against Bath and it will be as big the following week in the away clash as well. It’s a big game and it doesn’t come any bigger than Bath”
Cardiff Blues: Matthew Morgan; Alex Cuthbert, Rey Lee-Lo, Willis Halaholo, Blaine Scully; Steven Shingler, Lloyd Williams; Rhys Gill, Kristian Dacey, Taufa’ao Filise, George Earle, James Down, Seb Davies, Sam Warburton (C), Josh Navidi
Replacements: Matthew Rees, Brad Thyer, Scott Andrews, Jarrad Hoeata, Kirby Myhill, Tomos Williams, Nicky Robinson, Cory Allen
Bath Rugby: Tom Homer; Semesa Rokoduguni, Max Clark, Ben Tapuai, Jack Wilson; Dan Bowden, Darren Allinson; Beno Obano, Ross Batty, Max Lahiff, Charlie Ewels, Elliott Stooke, Matt Garvey (C), Tom Ellis, Paul Grant
Replacements: Jack Walker, Nick Auterac, Kane Palma-Newport, Guy Mercer, Michael van Vuuren, Will Homer, Adam Hastings, Jeff Williams