Gethin Jenkins will captain Cardiff Blues as one six changes for their must-win European Challenge Cup clash with Sale Sharks on Sunday (3.15pm).

The Blues welcome the Aviva Premiership outfit to the Arms Park after losing the opening clash of their double header last week at the AJ Bell Stadium.

They go into Round Four of the competition at the top of Pool Two but must triumph to remain in the driving seat.

Two of the changes come in the backline with Willis Halaholo recovering to replace Rey Lee-Lo in the centre and Tomos Williams preferred to Lloyd Williams at scrum-half.

There are four more changes up front with Josh Navidi returning to the back-row following his autumn heroics with Wales, and he is joined by Macauley Cook on the flanks.

Damian Welch returns to the second-row, packing down alongside Seb Davies, who moves forward from the back-row.

Following a disappointing performance on the road Cardiff Blues head coach Danny Wilson has called on his side to produce a response in front of their home crowd.

He said: “Sunday will be about repaying our supporters with a home performance they can be proud of,” said Wilson.

“We’re still top of the group after two good wins, but as I’ve said before, we can’t overreact after big wins and we can’t overreact to big losses.

“We won our first two games in Europe, with two good wins, and going into this double-header we want to go strong and do as well as we can.

“It’s important that we repay our fans. There were several who made the long journey up to Sale, as was recognised by players and staff, and we need to repay them this weekend with our performance.”

Following Sunday’s encounter the Blues will turn to Guinness PRO14 action before the final rounds of European action in January.

They face Toulouse at home in Round Five, with the fixture date and time to be confirmed next week, and then Lyon on the road.

Cardiff Blues: Matthew Morgan; Owen Lane, Garyn Smith, Willis Halaholo, Aled Summerhill, Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Gethin Jenkins (capt), Matthew Rees, Anton Peikrishvili, Seb Davies, Damian Welch, Macauley Cook, Josh Navidi, Nick Williams.

Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Brad Thyer, Keiron Assiratti, James Down, Josh Turnbull, Lloyd Williams, Jarrod Evans, Rey Lee-Lo.

The following players were unavailable for selection:

Scott Andrews
Taufa’ao Filise
Tom James
Dane Blacker
Sam Warburton
Dan Fish
Rhun Williams
Kristian Dacey
Jack Roberts
Rhys Gill
Alex Cuthbert
Ellis Jenkins
Steve Shingler
Blaine Scully