Posted by Cardiff get the Indigo Group Premiership Cup underway by hosting RGC at the Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday afternoon, with a 2.30pm kick-off.
After narrowly overcoming Carmarthen Quins in the final game of pre-season in West Wales last week, head coach Steve Law has stuck with much of the pack that took the field there for the first Rags competitive fixture since March 2020.
Thomas Davies and summer signing from Llandovery Llyr Green continue as props, another summer signing but this time from Pontypridd in Sean Moore stays at second row, while a back row of Alex Everett, Gwilym Bradley and captain Morgan Allen remains unchanged.
The additions up front see another ex-Llandovery man in Alun Rees start at hooker, while Academy second row Rhys Anstey gets the nod alongside Moore in the engine room.
It is also unchanged at 9, 10 and 12 where Ethan Lloyd, Jack Maynard and Ryan Wilkins link up again, but Harri Millard completes the midfield dropping down from the first team to play at outside centre. Barney Nightingale and Jacob Beetham stay at wing and full-back respectively, joined in the back three by Tom Habberfield who continues with the Blue and Blacks for a second season.
Efan Daniel could make a first Rags appearance off the bench as the hooker cover, while Theo Bevacqua and Ollie Drake remain as the prop options. New signings from Jersey and Bedwas, respectively, Rory Bartle and James Richards are the loose forward options.
First team scrum-half Ellis Bevan could also make a Rags debut if called upon, while player-coach Dan Fish is joined by the final summer addition to make the 23, former Wales Sevens man Tom Hoppe.
Cardiff: Jacob Beetham, Tom Habberfield, Harri Millard, Ryan Wilkins, Barney Nightingale, Jack Maynard, Ethan Lloyd; Thomas Davies, Alun Rees, Llyr Green, Rhys Anstey, Sean Moore, Alex Everett, Gwilym Bradley, Morgan Allen (c)
Replacements: Efan Daniel, Theo Bevacqua, Ollie Drake, Rory Bartle, James Richards, Ellis Bevan, Dan Fish, Tom Hoppe
Cardiff Rugby Life 