Cardiff Rugby have made 11 changes for their return to the United Rugby Championship and the visit of HollywoodBets Sharks on Friday night (19:45).

After going down fighting against Northampton Saints in the Investec Champions Cup, Corniel van Zyl has refreshed his side and selected a starting XV with a more familiar feel. 

Eight of the Blue & Blacks changes come in the pack with Liam Belcher back to captain the side, in a front-row alongside Scott Sio and Javan Sebastian.

Josh McNally and Teddy Williams renew their partnership in the second-row, while Alex Mann, James Botham and Taine Basham form a dynamic back-row. 

In the back-line, Le Roux Malan returns to line-up against his former side, while Cam Winnett and Josh Adams have recovered from injuries, the former making his first appearance of the season.

Van Zyl said: “We faced the URC champions in our third game of the season and the English champions in our fourth. It’s exposure at the highest level and we have spoken about that being the level we want to measure ourselves. 

“It doesn’t matter who wears the jersey, there’s a responsibility and accountability for whoever is in the jersey to leave it in a better place.

“This week, it doesn’t get any easier but we are in a decent place and it’s about putting our best performance on the pitch for 80 minutes. 

“The Sharks are a quality team. It’s been well-documented that they have their Springboks coming in. They are the players fans want to see and we want to measure ourselves and test ourselves against the best. 

“But ultimately, we are back at Cardiff Arms Park. That’s something that excites everyone, not only the players but the staff, the fans and everyone linked to the club. So there’s a lot of positives and we’re looking forward to a big night.”

Wales tight-head Keiron Assiratti has also been passed fit and is in line to make his first appearance of the season from the replacements bench.

Cardiff are undefeated at the Arms Park since December, but the Sharks have triumphed in the last two fixtures between the sides. 

Cardiff Rugby team to face Hollywoodbets Sharks in Round Four of the BKT United Rugby Championship: 

Cam Winnett; Josh Adams, Le Roux Malan, Steff Emanuel, Harri Millard, Jarrod Evans, Johan Mulder; Scott Sio, Liam Belcher (capt), Javan Sebastian, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, James Botham, Taine Basham.

Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Danny Southworth, Keiron Assiratti, Tom Manz, Semisi Paea, Aled Davies, Callum Sheedy, Tom Bowen