They say one man's loss is another man's gain, and that certainly could be the case for Ellis Jenkins.
Throughout the first few months of the season Thomas Young has been among the form opensides in the United Rugby Championship and looked like a serious contender to make Warren Gatland's Six Nations squad.
But a torn calf sustained against the Scarlets last weekend has side-lined the former Wasps star for the next three months.
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This has presented an opportunity for his fellow openside Jenkins who has suffered his own injury woes over the past few years.
With Gatland naming his squad next week this is a final opportunity for Jenkins to put his hand up for selection in what is undoubtedly the strongest position in Wales.
Cardiff director of rugby Dai Young has made eight changes to the side which lost at home to the Scarlets.
Having impressed from the bench in recent weeks, and with Rey Lee-Lo ruled out, Mason Grady is promoted into the starting XV to partner Ben Thomas in midfield.
An experienced half back combination of Lloyd Williams and Rhys Priestland is given the nod, with Tomos Williams side ined and Jarrod Evans on the bench, while Jason Harries comes into the back three to replace Liam Williams - ruled out following a HIA.
Fellow British and Irish Lion, Josh Adams, makes a positional change to full back. Up front, the homegrown prop duo of Corey Domachowski and Keiron Assiratti are named either side of hooker Kirby Myhill, while Teddy Williams is drafted into the second row to link up with Seb Davies.
The Blue & Blacks are unbeaten in this season's Challenge Cup, and a victory at the Arms Park on Sunday will move them a step closer to a home tie in the last 16.
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“We were disappointed to lose two home derbies recently but this competition gives us a change of focus and an opportunity to compete for silverware," said Young.
“Our victory up in Newcastle at the beginning of last month was one of our more complete performances and that is what we need to get back towards.
“We are expecting a tough challenge and Newcastle to be stronger than on that occasion and they will be travelling down to Cardiff with plenty of confidence following an impressive win over Leicester Tigers.
“We have selected a strong side and the target for us now is to secure a home fixture in the last 16. The club has a good history in this competition and we want to go as far as possible.
“So these next two fixtures in Europe are really important both in terms of giving us the best possible chance in the competition but also to regain some confidence and momentum to take back into the league.”
Cardiff: Josh Adams; Owen Lane, Mason Grady, Ben Thomas, Jason Harries; Rhys Priestland, Lloyd Williams; Corey Domachowski, Kirby Myhill, Keiron Assiratti, Seb Davies, Teddy Williams, Josh Turnbull (capt.), Ellis Jenkins, Taulupe Faletau. Replacements: Efan Daniel, Rhys Carré, Will Davies-King, James Ratti, James Botham, Ellis Bevan, Jarrod Evans, Harri Millard
Newcastle Falcons: 15 Elliott Obatoyinbo, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Pete Lucock, 11 Ben Stevenson, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Sam Stuart; 1 Adam Brocklebank, 2 Charlie Maddison, 3 Richard Palframan, 4 Greg Peterson, 5 Josh Peters, 6 Gary Graham (captain), 7 Tom Marshall, 8 Carl Fearns. Replacements: 16 Alun Walker, 17 Logovi’i Mulipola, 18 Mark Tampin, 19 Matthew Dalton, 20 Pedro Rubiolo, 21 Michael Young, 22 Josh Thomas, 23 Iwan Stephens.
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