Coach David Young has announced a Blues' team to play Biarritz Olympique on Saturday that shows seven changes, two of them positional, from the last game against Celtic Warriors.
Into the starting line-up come Nick Walne, Jamie Robinson, Ryan Powell, Ben Evans and Craig Quinnell. The positional changes see Rhys Williams reverting to full-back and Tom Shanklin switching from outside to inside centre.
The replacements' bench includes Rob Appleyard who has been sidelined since 7 November with an ankle injury.
David Young said,
"This match is obviously a severe test for us after a particularly difficult week. The eight-week suspension for Dan Baugh was obviously a blow and the off-the-field developments in the region were potentially a distraction. But, as always, the squad has remained remarkably well-focused and all of us involved are absolutely determined to restore our reputation after the poor performance in Biarritz last year."
Meanwhile, good news for the squad was that, in addition to its four Wales World Cup representatives, Craig Morgan, Jamie Robinson, Ryan Powell, Gareth Williams and, for the first time, John Yapp have been included in the national training squad for the forthcoming Six Nations' campaign.
Blues' team: Rhys Williams; Nick Walne, Jamie Robinson, Tom Shanklin, Craig Morgan; Iestyn Harris, Ryan Powell; John Yapp, Gareth Williams, Ben Evans, Craig Quinnell, Andy Moore, Jim Brownrigg, Nathan Thomas, Martyn Williams (capt)
Replacements: Kenneth Fourie, Darren Crompton, Rhys Thomas, Heino Senekal, Rob Appleyard, Andrew Moore, Nick Robinson
Referee: Dave Pearson (England)