Willis Halaholo returns to centre-stage as Cardiff Rugby kick-off their BKT United Rugby Championship season against Benetton Rugby on Saturday (17:15).

The popular centre has penned a short-term contract to pull on the Blue and Black once more as he approaches a century for the club.

Halaholo partners Rey Lee-Lo in midfield, providing experience and familiarity in an otherwise youthful and new-look back-line.

Ellis Bevan and Tinus de Beer link up at half-back, while Owen Lane, Theo Cabango and Cam Winnett make up the back three.

Liam Belcher captains the side from the front-row, where he packs down between Wales international duo Rhys Carré and Keiron Assiratti.

Teddy Williams and Shane Lewis-Hughes combine in the second-row, while Ellis Jenkins and Seb Davies provide experience alongside Alex Mann in the back-row.

Cardiff Rugby head coach Matt Sherratt said: “First of all, it is great to have Willis available for selection, after signing a short-term contract with the club.

“He has completed his rehab with us, trained very well, turned out in pre-season for ourselves and Cardiff RFC and remains an important figure for us. There is no doubt around his quality and we will see how he does in the weeks ahead.

“We have a few injuries but we have selected what I believe is a very competitive team, which blends youth and experience. We have to be true to our word and blood some of these exciting young players as we build for the future, and we have combined them with some real experience.

“It has been a long pre-season, so everyone is really excited to get back out on the pitch for the start of the URC season and even more so to do it at the Arms Park.

“Benetton will be a big test. They are a quality outfit with an abundance of Italian internationals and a core of overseas quality. They have done well in pre-season and will be brimming with confidence but we have trained well and are looking forward to the challenge.

“At the minimum, you can expect to see plenty of fight and determination from this group with a willingness to attack and play an entertaining brand of rugby. We want to get the Arms Park crowd right behind us this season and we will do everything we can to make our supporters proud.”

Off-season signings Josh Reynolds, Ciaran Parker, Matthew Aubrey and Arwel Robson are all named among the replacements and are set to make their competitive debuts, along with starting fly-half De Beer. There is also an opportunity for 19-year-old back-row ace Lucas de le Rua.

Tickets for Cardiff Rugby versus Benetton Rugby are available now by clicking here or calling 029 20 302030.

Cardiff Rugby: C Winnett; O Lane, R Lee-Lo, W Halaholo, T Cabango; T de Beer, E Bevan; R Carré, L Belcher (capt), K Assiratti, S Lewis-Hughes, T Williams, A Mann, E Jenkins, S Davies.

Replacements: E Daniel, J Reynolds, C Parker, R Thornton, L de la Rua, M Aubrey, A Robson, H Millard.

Unavailable for selection:

Short-term:

Rhys Barratt (illness), Thomas Young (calf), Lopeti Timani (hamstring).

Medium to long-term:

Jamie Hill (hamstring), Gwilym Bradley (foot), James Botham (hamstring) Josh Turnbull (knee).

Internationals:

Corey Domachowski, Taulupe Faletau, Tomos Williams, Mason Grady, Josh Adams.