Josh Adams is set for his first appearance of the season as Cardiff make four changes for their return to the BKT United Rugby Championship.
The Wales and British & Irish Lions wing has been out of action since May but has been given the all clear to face Dragons RFC on Saturday (17:15), after overcoming knee and hernia issues.
Adams is one of two changes to the back-line that roared back against Ulster last month, both coming on the wing with Harri Millard also starting, following injuries to Mason Grady and Iwan Stephens.
Up front, Daf Hughes is given the nod at hooker and a fully fit and firing Thomas Young pulls on the number seven jersey.
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. Something like nine of the last 10 derbies between us have been one-score games.
“If you look at their recent results I think they scored last minute to beat the Ospreys, Sharks scored in about the 85th minute to beat them, and the Lions was close. Connacht was close at 60 minutes, so 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.”
All of the club’s fit and available Wales contingent are included in the match-day 23, while Alex Mann continues his return from the bench and Seb Davies makes a welcome return to fitness.
Thirteen of the match-day squad are products of the club’s pathway and 18 are Welsh-qualified.
The fixture serves as the club’s second consecutive double-header with Cardiff RFC’s clash with Pontypool in Super Rygbi Cymru providing the curtain-raiser.
Tickets for the double-header are available now but sold out or limited in many areas. Secure yours today by calling 029 20 302030 or clicking here.
Cardiff Rugby: Cam Winnett; Josh Adams, Rey Lee-Lo, Ben Thomas (capt), 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.