Cardiff switch Rhys Priestland back to fly-half for their EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-final against Benetton in Treviso on Saturday (3pm UK time).
The vastly experienced Wales international starred at full-back in the 28-27 win over Sale Sharks in the round of 16.
He returns to his usual position after Jarrod Evans failed a fitness test ahead of the trip to Italy. Evans’ unpredictable running and handling skills often bewildered Sale, but the 26-year-old picked up a bump in last weekend's Arms Park clash.
Ben Thomas comes in at No. 15, while up front Thomas Young features at openside flanker, with Josh Turnbull moving from blindside to lock. Lopeti Timani, who left the pitch with an injury against Sale, features on the bench.
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But Benetton will provide tough opposition.
They field five members of the pack that started against Wales in the Six Nations in Giacomo Nicotera, Niccolo Cannone, Federico Ruzza, Sebastian Negri and Michele Lamaro, while backs Edoardo Padovani, Nacho Brex and Tommaso Menoncello were also in the Azzurri’s run-on side against Warren Gatland’s team.
Ruzza poses a lineout threat with Negri a formidable ball-carrier, while Brex and Menoncello make up one of the most dangerous midfield pairings around.
But Cardiff have their own threats, up front and behind, with Priestland a cut above against Sale, Josh Adams back to his best, Mason Grady fast and strong with ball in hand and Taulupe Faletau again majestic at No. 8.
Director of rugby Dai Young said: “We are all really looking forward to Saturday but we are also acutely aware of the challenge Benetton present.
“They gave us a hiding last season and they have had some good wins at home in the current campaign. They have threats all over the pitch and we will have to be at our best.
“We are also in a very different place to last season, we had a fantastic win over Sale Sharks last week and the group are really motivated to finish the season on a high.
“This competition is the last opportunity this squad has to achieve something before players move on in the summer, and on Saturday we can go a step closer.”
It’s a milestone day for Kristian Dacey with the hooker poised to make his 200th Cardiff appearance. The Wales international, who is named on the bench, will join Taufa'ao Filise and Lloyd Williams as the only players to reach the landmark for the club in the modern era.
Young added: “We are thrilled for Kristian, who is a great professional and a good man in our environment. Playing 200 games for one club at this level is no mean feat and a victory on Saturday will be a brilliant way for Kris to remember the occasion.”
Benetton: Rhyno Smith; Edoardo Padovani, Nacho Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Marcus Watson; Jacob Umaga, Dewaldt Duvenage (capt); Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Giacomo Nicotera, Tiziano Pasquali, Niccolò Cannone, Federico Ruzza, Sebastian Negri, Michele Lamaro, Henry Stowers.
Replacements: Siua Maile, Thomas Gallo, Filippo Alongi, Riccardo Favretto, Manuel Zuliani, Lorenzo Cannone, Alessandro Garbisi, Tomas Albornoz.
Cardiff: Ben Thomas; Owen Lane, Mason Grady, Max Llewellyn, Josh Adams; Rhys Priestland, Tomos Williams; Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher, Keiron Assiratti, Josh Turnbull (capt), Teddy Williams, James Botham, Thomas Young, Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Kristian Dacey, Rhys Carré, Will Davies-King, Seb Davies, Lopeti Timani, James Ratti, Lloyd Williams, Jason Harries.
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