Cardiff Rugby have made seven changes for their Welsh derby showdown with the Scarlets in the BKT United Rugby Championship on Saturday (17:30).
The Blue & Blacks travel to Llanelli with their play-off hopes resting in their own hands with four rounds of URC action remaining.
Following their European Challenge Cup exit, Cardiff enjoyed a week’s break to recover, allowing key trio Josh McNally, George Nott and Johan Mulder to return to fitness.
They all go straight back into a starting XV which shows four changes in the pack and three in the backs from the side that fell agonisingly short against Benetton.
Liam Belcher captains the side and packs down in a familiar front-row with Rhys Barratt and Keiron Assiratti, while McNally and Nott return to the second-row.
Wales duo Alex Mann and James Botham combine on the flanks with Alun Lawrence pulling on the number eight jersey.
In the backs, Mulder partners Callum Sheedy, while Rory Jennings and Ben Thomas form a new look midfield after Steff Emanuel and Josh Adams joined Harri Millard on the sidelines.
Cam Winnett returns to the number 15 jersey, with Mason Grady and Jacob Beetham remaining on the wings.
A massive challenge
Cardiff Rugby head coach, Corniel van Zyl said: “We were disappointed to exit Europe but it has given us the chance to recover and get a few boys back.
“We are still stretched in certain positions, but we have prepared well and are looking forward to what promises to be a great occasion at Parc y Scarlets.
“They are a quality team, they are playing well and they will be highly motivated to make a statement in front of their home fans. As we saw at the Arms Park, they are very physical and have players who can change a game so we will have to be at our best.
“We are in the mix for the play-offs and it is in our hands which is great but we are very aware of the challenge that faces us.
“It’s a cliché but all we can do is focus on one game at a time and trying to put our best game on the pitch, starting at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday.”
Van Zyl has named a 6-2 split on the bench, with Taine Basham also returning to fitness after missing the trip to Italy.
The last four clashes between the two sides have been won by the travelling team but Cardiff have not triumphed over the west Walian outfit since September 2024.
Cardiff Rugby team to take on Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday, April 18 (17:30):
Cam Winnett; Jacob Beetham, Ben Thomas, Rory Jennings, Mason Grady; Callum Sheedy, Johan Mulder; Rhys Barratt, Liam Belcher (capt), Keiron Assiratti, Josh McNally, George Nott, Alex Mann, James Botham, Alun Lawrence.
Replacements: Daf Hughes, Danny Southworth, Javan Sebastian, Rory Thornton, Dan Thomas, Taine Basham, Ellis Bevan, Ioan Lloyd.