Cardiff Rugby have made four changes for their BKT United Rugby Championship clash against Connacht on Saturday night (19:45).
The Blue & Blacks go into the Arms Park encounter on the back of a narrow defeat to Munster, but with seven points from a possible 10 in the first two rounds.
Two of the changes come in the pack, where Keiron Assiratti starts at tight-head, in an otherwise unchanged front-row.
Josh McNally and Teddy Williams continue in the second-row, while Ben Donnell comes in for his first start of the season, at blindside flanker.
In the backs, Cam Winnett returns to the 15 jersey, with Jacob Beetham moving to the wing in the place of the injured Josh Adams. Stef Emanuel also comes into the centre to partner Harri Millard.
Corniel van Zyl said: “On reflection we were please to come away from Munster with two points. It could have been more but going into that last 10 minutes, trailing by eight, I think anyone would have taken the two.
“We had chances in the first half where we could have put more points on the board. We can be better in those moments and that is something we have been working on.
“Connacht will be a big test. They have a new coaching staff with Stuart Lancaster so they will be a bit different to last year.
“You can see from pre-season and their first game that their style of play has changed a little bit from last year, where we played them three times. We didn’t beat them once but they were three close games and we really want to turn that around.
“We are back at our home ground and we want to make our supporters proud. We often talk about how we can grow is a team and this is an opportunity where we can move forward from last year.”
Summer signing George Nott is in line for his competitive debut from the replacements bench, after recovering from a toe injury. There is also the opportunity to debut for 19-year-old centre Osian Darwin-Lewis to make his first competitive appearance for the club.
Cardiff Rugby team to face Connacht on Saturday, October 11.
Cardiff Rugby: Cam Winnett; Jacob Beetham, Harri Millard, Steff Emanuel, Tom Bowen; Callum Sheedy, Johan Mulder; Danny Southworth, Liam Belcher (capt), Keiron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, Ben Donnell, Dan Thomas, Alun Lawrence
Replacements: Daf Hughes, Rhys Barratt, Javan Sebastian, George Nott, Taine Basham, Aled Davies, Ioan Lloyd, Osian Darwin-Lewis.
Tickets for Cardiff Rugby versus Connacht at the Arms Park on Saturday, October 11 (7:45pm) are available now by clicking below or calling 029 20 302030.
