Liam Belcher returns to captain Cardiff for their BKT United Rugby Championship clash against Connacht at the Dexcom Stadium on Saturday (7:35pm).
Belcher, who has recovered from a calf injury, is one of three changes to the starting line-up that faced Hollywoodbets Sharks last month.
Dan Thomas pulls on the number seven jersey, with Thomas Young moving to the bench, while there is another welcome return to fitness for Harri Millard, who starts on the wing.
Matt Sherratt will lead the Blue & Blacks before he links up with Wales for the remainder of the Six Nations on Monday.
He expects a formidable challenge in Galway but insists Cardiff can produce a performance to be proud of.
Sherratt said: “It was a tight contest against a good Connacht team at the Arms Park a couple weeks ago.
“We’ve worked hard on our game over the last couple of weeks and have prepared well this week. We are looking forward to showing that progress in what will be a big challenge on Saturday night.
“It’s great to get a couple of the boys back, particularly when we are without our internationals. If we can put as much of our game out there as possible, there is no reason why we cannot take something away from Galway.”
Sherratt has opted for a six-two split on the replacements bench with Callum Braley set for his Cardiff debut after signing a short-term contract as injury cover.
Ben Donnell also returns to the match-day 23 following the elbow injury he suffered against Dragons last year.
Cardiff Rugby: Cam Winnett (YGC Cwm Rhondda / Coleg y Cymoedd); Gabriel Hamer-Webb (Beechen Cliff School) , Rey Lee-Lo (Otahuhu College), Rory Jennings (Bryanston School), Harri Millard (Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun), Callum Sheedy (Corpus Christi / Millfield), Johan Mulder (Affies); Rhys Barratt (Bryn Celynnog/ Coleg y Cymoedd), Liam Belcher (capt) (Porth County Community School), Rhys Litterick (Worthing College) , Josh McNally (Aylestone High School), Seb Davies (Glantaf), Alex Mann (St John’s, Aberdare), Dan Thomas (Bro Myrddin), Alun Lawrence (Ysgol Llanhari).
Replacements: Efan Daniel (Treorchy Comprehensive), Danny Southworth (Ivybridge), Will Davies-King (The King’s School), Rory Thornton (Cefn Hengoed Comprehensive), Ben Donnell (Henry Beaufort), Thomas Young (Ysgol Rhydywaun ), Callum Braley (Colstons), Jacob Beetham (Ysgol Uwchradd Llanfair-ym-Muallt / CAVC).