Taulupe Faletau will make his first appearance of the season as Cardiff make 11 changes for their European Challenge Cup clash with Toyota Cheetahs at the Arms Park on Saturday (20:00).

The Wales international has been out of action since suffering a broken shoulder in April but has now been given the all clear to return to Blue & Black. 

He is one of six changes to the forwards, with club captain Liam Belcher also returning to pack down in between Corey Domachowski and Will Davies-King.

Josh McNally is recalled to the starting line-up, alongside Teddy Williams, while James Botham returns to the back-row with Faletau and Dan Thomas. 

In the backs, Aled Davies and Callum Sheedy reform their growing partnership, while Wales star Ben Thomas is back alongside Rey Lee-Lo.

Two further changes come in the back-three where Cam Winnett returns from a week off and 18-year-old academy graduate Tom Bowen is handed his senior debut. 

Sherratt said: “We’re looking forward to getting back to the Arms Park for a really important fixture in this competition. 

“We have spoken this week about how much we would love to have knockout rugby at the Arms Park and that process starts against the Cheetahs on Saturday. 

“It’s brilliant to be able to bring the likes of Liam Belcher and Toby Faletau back after injuries, and we are all really pleased to see another pathway graduate, in Tom Bowen, make his debut at just 18 and just a week after Steff Emanuel. 

“Cheetahs are a quality side, they drew with Perpignan last week and will be coming here with a real point to prove. They are well coached and have a lot of dangerous players so we will need to be at our best.”

Cardiff go into the encounter on the back of a spirited display in Lyon, in which they secured a try-scoring bonus-point. 

They have faced the Cheetahs three times previously at the Arms Park and triumphed on each occasion. 

The Blue & Blacks have opted for a 6-2 split on the replacement bench with Rory Jennings returning from injury to provide cover across the back-line. 

Cardiff Rugby: Cam Winnett; Josh Adams, Rey Lee-Lo, Ben Thomas, Tom Bowen; Callum Sheedy, Aled Davies; Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher (capt), Will Davies-King, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, James Botham, Dan Thomas, Taulupe Faletau,

Replacements: Daf Hughes, Danny Southworth, Kieron Assiratti, Seb Davies, Alex Mann, Alun Lawrence, Johan Mulder, Rory Jennings