Filo Paulo will make his first start since returning to Cardiff Blues as John Mulvihill makes just one change for Friday’s trip to face Pau at Stade du Hameau.
Wales’ Capital Region ran riot at Cardiff Arms Park a week ago, securing a 54-22 victory over the French club and Mulvihill has backed his charges to complete the job.
Paulo, who re-joined the club for a second stint earlier this month, is the only change, replacing the impressive James Ratti, to add increased size and physicality to the pack.
The Blues are currently second in Pool Five, trailing Leicester Tigers by three points on 11 and acutely aware that a fifth victory in six games will see them move a step closer to the knockout stages.
Mulvihill said: “It’s probably the first time this season that we’ve been able to select virtually the same team from one week to the next, which is really pleasing. We have been impressed with James but it was important that we get Filo on the pitch for a run out ahead of the derbies. He will bring a lot of physicality against a big French pack while we will be looking for James to make an impact from the bench.
“We had a great win and performance last weekend, but we are well aware that Pau will be a different team on their home patch, and they will be a lot closer to full strength.
“However, we have won four of our last five so we have some momentum and if we play with the same intensity as last week then we will have every chance of winning.
“A win will give us a really good chance to qualify for the quarter-finals, and that was one of our targets at the beginning of the season and set us up nicely for a busy period of Christmas derbies.”
Will Boyde continues as captain after leading Cardiff Blues to fifth consecutive victory over the Pyrenees outfit, while there are two further changes among the replacements.
Liam Belcher returns to deputise for Kirby Myhill, with Ethan Lewis dropping out of the match-day 23, while Paulo’s inclusion sees Ratti named on the bench.
Cardiff Blues: Matthew Morgan; Owen Lane, Rey Lee-Lo, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams; Rhys Gill, Kirby Myhill, Scott Andrews, Filo Paulo, Josh Turnbull, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Olly Robinson, Will Boyde (capt.)
Replacements: Liam Belcher, Corey Domachowski, Keiron Assiratti, James Ratti, Alun Lawrence, Lloyd Williams, Jason Tovey, Hallam Amos