Josh Adams, Tomos Williams and Seb Davies all return to the Cardiff side for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship trip to Llanelli (KO 7.35pm).
Following the Guinness Six Nations campaign, the Wales trio were rested for last week’s thrilling home win over Glasgow Warriors, but make an instant return to the starting line-up as Dai Young makes eight changes for the derby clash.
British and Irish Lion, Adams, joins Hallam Amos and Jason Harries in the back three, with Theo Cabango ruled out due to an ankle injury.
Rey Lee-Lo is also brought back into the XV after recovering from concussion, replacing Willis Halaholo, who has unfortunately been ruled out for up to 12 weeks with a hamstring injury.
Tomos Williams will partner Jarrod Evans at half back, as namesake Lloyd moves to the bench, with a further five changes made in the pack.
Corey Domachowski, Kristian Dacey and Dillon Lewis start in the front-row having made an impact from the bench last week, with Davies introduced to the second row alongside Matthew Screech.
Ellis Jenkins is back in the starting line-up, having made an appearance from the bench last week, and will captain the side with Josh Turnbull rested due to a number of niggles, Josh Navidi ruled out with a groin injury and Will Boyde unavailable due to illness.
Director of Rugby, Young, said: “When you play against each other, the rivalry is there, the bragging rights are there and you want to get one over your mates.
“But we have a responsibility to demonstrate high skill levels, play with intensity and bring a complete performance to deliver a good spectacle.
“Everyone likes to play against local rivals, no matter where you are. I’ve got huge respect for them as a club in terms of history and tradition. We know we’ll need to be at our best to go there and get the win and that’s what we’re going there for.
“It’s quite a unique experience because the week after they’ll be coming back down here. But form always seems to go out of the window when it comes to derbies.
“Sometimes home advantage does as well. These players know each other inside-out.
“We know they’re a real quality team who will want to win on their own patch. We’ll also need to be a lot better.
Rhys Priestland makes a return to the matchday squad after recovering from an achillies injury, while Gwilym Bradley - who has regularly featured for the Rags this season - is in-line for his first URC appearance of the season.
A total of 13 players were developed through the Cardiff pathway, including seven of the starting pack.
Cardiff Rugby: Hallam Amos; Jason Harries, Rey Lee-Lo, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams; Corey Domachowski, Kristian Dacey, Dillon Lewis, Seb Davies, Matthew Screech, James Botham, Ellis Jenkins (capt.), James Ratti
Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Rhys Carré, Dmitri Arhip, Rory Thornton, Gwilym Bradley, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland, Matthew Morgan