Cardiff Blues take on Benetton Treviso this Sunday 11 September, 3.45pm kick off with young Cardiff Blues Academy scrum half Lewis Jones making his first start for the Blues in a competitive match alongside outside half Gareth Davies.

They are joined in the backs by Academy winger Alex Cuthbert, who although having represented Wales in Sevens, is also making his competitive debut for the region. The other change in the backs sees Gavin Evans replacing Casey Laulala.

The Blues have also made changes in the forwards, from the team that defeated Edinburgh last Friday night. Michael Paterson moves to the second row in place of James Down, with Maama Molitika starting at blindside. There is good news for the Blues with Xavier Rush on the bench having recovered from his hernia operation.

Benetton Treviso pushed Connacht all the way last Saturday and became the only side in round one to record a losing bonus point in their 9-11 defeat to the Irishmen. However, they are still looking for that elusive first victory outside of Italy since December 2007.

Speaking ahead of the match, Cardiff Blues Forwards coach, Justin Burnell said,

"Last Friday's win proved all that hard work, endeavour and a bit of blood, by all the players, coaches and conditioning team, was all worth-while."

"Obviously it's only the first game of the season but what it has proved to Gareth, myself and all the players, is that we are definitely heading in the right direction."

"It was pleasing to get the bonus point but there are always areas to work on."

"I'd like to think that no coach could turn around and say it was a 100% complete game. I thought sometimes our decision making and handling let us down."

"Treviso are vey strong and play with a lot of direction which revolves around their physicality."

"They have a good driving line out, a big Number 8 that looks to carry in mid-field and then they have Brendan Williams who sits back and perhaps waits for the opportunity to pick us off. "

"If you look at what we have done in the pre season and what we've done in the first game, we would be a bit silly to go away from our philosophy of playing a more expansive game."

"Our aim is to look to spread the ball and hopefully provide some attractive rugby for our supporters to enjoy."

Tickets for Cardiff Blues v Benetton Treviso, which kicks off this Sunday 11 September 3.45pm, are available online at www.cardiffblues.com/tickets or by calling the Ticket Office on 0845 345 1400

Cardiff Blues 15. Chris Czekaj 14. Alex Cuthbert 13. Gavin Evans 12. Dafydd Hewitt 11. Tom James 10. Gareth Davies 9. Lewis Jones

8. Andries Pertorius 7. Martyn Williams 6. Maama Molitika 5. Deiniol Jones 4. Michael Paterson 3. Scott Andrews 2. T Rhys Thomas (c) 1. Sam Hobbs

16. Rhys Williams 17. Nathan Trevett 18. Ryan Harford 19. Paul Tito 20. Xavier Rush 21. Richie Rees 22. Ceri Sweeney 23. Richard Mustoe

Benetton Treviso 15 Ludovico Nitoglia 14 Benjamin De Jager 13 Ezio Galon 12 Luca Morisi 11 Brendan Williams 10 Kristopher Burton 9 Simon Picone

8 Manoa Vosawai7 Benjamin Vermaak 6 Francesco Minto 5 Valerio Bernabò 4 Antonio Pavanello (C) 3 Augusto Allori 2 Franco Sbaraglini 1 Michele Rizzo

16 Diego Vidal 17 Matteo Muccignat 18 Pedro Di Santo 19 Gonzalo Padrò 20 Marco Filippucci 21 Willem De Waal 22 Alberto Chillon 23 Tommaso Iannone