Lloyd Williams and Jarrod Evans will form the half back partnership for Cardiff as they welcome Edinburgh to the Arms Park on Sunday (15:00).
Scrum-half Williams, who will move within three appearances of his 250th for the club, will make his first start of the season, while outside-half Evans recovers from a groin injury to replace Wales squad member, Rhys Priestland.
The Blue and Blacks head into the encounter on the back of three consecutive BKT United Rugby Championship wins and the backline that finished last week’s win over holders, DHL Stormers, remains unchanged.
A young centre partnership of Max Llewellyn and Mason Grady is joined by the back three trio of Ben Thomas, and last week’s try scorers Jason Harries and Theo Cabango.
With Kristian Dacey and Dillon Lewis unavailable, Kirby Myhill and Dmitri Arhip are reintroduced into the front row alongside an in-form Rhys Carré. The back five of the scrum remains unchanged, with Josh Turnbull captaining the side from the second row.
Cardiff Director of Rugby, Dai Young said: “We’re looking forward to another big challenge on Sunday against Edinburgh to finish this opening block of fixtures.
“We have been pleased with our recent results and the steps we have taken forward in terms of our performances but we know it is going to be another step up this weekend.
“Edinburgh are on the back of two good wins and have scored more points and more tries than any other team this season. So we will need to be at our best, particularly in defence.
“They have a good core to their squad and will be targeting this game but we are at home and we have a good record at the Arms Park. The atmosphere, and the energy it has given us, has been massive in recent weeks and we are looking forward to more of the same.
“We have spoken a lot about consistency and if we can finish this block with a fourth consecutive victory, it will be a pleasing start to the season.”
With Cameron Winnett and Ellis Bevan coming into the matchday 23 for the first time this season, the average age of Young’s bench is only 23.5 years old.
While this is the final fixture of the opening block of URC games, Cardiff will face Bristol Bears in a fortnight before they travel to South Africa in late-November.
Cardiff: Ben Thomas; Jason Harries, Mason Grady, Max Llewellyn, Theo Cabango; Jarrod Evans, Lloyd Williams; Rhys Carré, Kirby Myhill, Dmitri Arhip, Josh Turnbull (capt.), Rory Thornton, James Botham, Thomas Young, James Ratti
Replacements: Liam Belcher, Corey Domachowski, Will Davies-King, Teddy Williams, Gwilym Bradley, Ellis Bevan, Aled Summerhill, Cameron Winnett
Wales: Dillon Lewis, Taulupe Faletau, Tomos Williams, Rhys Priestland, Josh Adams
Injury:
Kristian Dacey
Seb Davies
Matthew Screech
Shane Lewis-Hughes
Josh Navidi
Willis Halaholo
Rey Lee-Lo
Owen Lane
Liam Williams
Jacob Beetham
Matthew Morgan