Cardiff Rugby have made four changes for Friday’s BKT United Rugby Championship clash with Zebre Parma at Cardiff Arms Park (19:45). 

The Blue & Blacks return to the capital on the back of a Welsh derby victory over Scarlets and Josh McNally captains the team.

With club captain Liam Belcher not included, Daf Hughes comes into the front-row, and packs down in between Scott Sio and Javan Sebastian.

James Botham also moves into the starting XV, with Alex Mann and Taine Basham continuing in the back-row.

There are two further changes behind the pack, with Tom Bowen and Harri Millard starting on the wings and Jacob Beetham making the switch to full-back.

Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl said: “Everyone wants to get their season off to a good start so we were very pleased to have done that. It was a positive start but it wasn’t perfect.

“There’s stuff to work on so we’ll take it from there and keep growing and improving as a team.

“We are looking forward to getting back to the Arms Park and want to build on the record we achieved at home last season.  We have great support in Cardiff and we want to give that home support performances that they can be proud of. 

“The home advantage is massive. When we engage the crowd and give them reasons to start singing and cheering it really makes a difference. We have a responsibility to perform well for them but to also connect with them. 

“Zebre had a difficult result against the Bulls last week, but we know they are tough team to break down. They are unbelievably good at the breakdown. We struggled against that last year. 

“So, we will need to be better than we were against the Scarlets and the boys are determined to do that.”

Van Zyl has opted for a traditional 5-3 split on the replacements bench, however Evan Lloyd is included as back-row cover, with 18-year-old Tom Howe in line to make his senior debut. 

The former Ysgol Glantaf pupil becomes the youngest front row forward to represent the first team since Rhys Williams packed down against Connacht in 2008.

Zebre have not won in Cardiff since 2013 and are searching for their first win over the Blue & Blacks in nine attempts. They arrive in Wales on the back of a 47-13 defeat to Vodacom Bulls. 

Cardiff Rugby to face Zebre Parma at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday, October 2 (19:45) in the BKT United Rugby Championship:

Jacob Beetham; Harri Millard, Le Roux Malan, Ben Thomas, Tom Bowen; Callum Sheedy, Johan Mulder; Scott Sio, Daf Hughes, Javan Sebastian, Josh McNally (capt), Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, James Botham, Taine Basham.

Replacements: Tom Howe, Rhys Barratt, Sam Wainwright, Rory Thornton, Evan Lloyd, Ellis Bevan, Jarrod Evans, Steffan Emanuel