Wales international Owen Lane will make his first competitive start of the season when Cardiff travel to the north east for their Challenge Cup clash with Newcastle Falcons.
The 24-year-old has recovered from an ankle injury he picked up against Munster in September and he will line up in the back three alongside Ben Thomas and Josh Adams.
Rhys Priestland and Tomos Williams form the half back partnership as Max Llewellyn and Rey Lee-Lo continue in midfield.
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Welsh internationals Ellis Jenkins and Taulupe Faletau are introduced in the back row, while Rory Thornton replaces Lopeti Timani in the second row. A front row of Rhys Carré, Kirby Myhill and Dmitri Arhip complete the starting XV.
The Blue & Blacks kicked off their Challenge Cup campaign with a resounding 41-0 victory over French strugglers Brive last weekend but face a tricky task against a well-drilled Newcastle outfit this time around.
Cardiff director of rugby Dai Young said: “Newcastle are a quality team, they are formidable at home and they realistically need to win. So we know it is going to be a big challenge. However, we travel up there with a bit of confidence and momentum, with two bonus-point wins from our last three games, and with plenty of motivation to go into the Welsh derbies on a high.
“If we can win, or pick up points, in Newcastle it puts us in a very good place in the Challenge Cup and going back into the United Rugby Championship.”
Cardiff: Ben Thomas; Owen Lane, Rey Lee-Lo, Max Llewellyn, Josh Adams; Rhys Priestland, Tomos Williams; Rhys Carre, Kirby Myhill, Dmitri Arhip, Seb Davies, Rory Thornton, Josh Turnbull (c), Ellis Jenkins, Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Liam Belcher, Brad Thyer, Will Davies-King, Teddy Williams, James Ratti, Ellis Bevan, Mason Grady, Theo Cabango.
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