The Welsh international centre will be in charge of a team that contains two new signings – South African outside half Tinus de Beer and tight head prop Ciaran Parker – and a further three debutants in the starting line-up.
Wales U20 back row men Lucas de la Rua and Mackenzie Martin get their first experience of regional rugby, while two more local products, fit again full back Jacob Beetham and hooker Evan Lloyd, are also included in the run on XV.
“It’s been a long off-season, so we are really looking forward to getting back out on the pitch for what should be an entertaining encounter and an important step in our preparations for the URC campaign,” said newly appointed Cardiff Rugby head coach Matt Sherratt.
“We’ve had a bit of illness in the group this week so the team is a little younger than we had planned. We had initially looked to have a few more experienced heads alongside the younger lads.
“But that said, there is still a good blend of youth, experience and some new faces, who have joined us in the summer.
“Both the Scarlets and ourselves want to get as many young players out there as we can while trying to match the teams.
“Traditionally both teams play an entertaining brand of rugby and want to move the ball so it and there will be no shortage of effort from players determined to make an impression.
“There will be plenty of opportunities for young, local talent with plenty of potential this season and we are hoping for a good crowd to get behind them as the URC season edges closer.”
There are two more new signings on the bench in Rhys Litterick and Arwel Robson, well scrum half Matthew Aubrey is appearing on permit.
Ioan Nicholas will lead Scarlets for the first time and he will have five players – Charlie Titcombe, Efan Jones, Lewis Morgan, Ed Scragg and Teddy Leatherbarrow – making their first senior Scarlets starts.
Wales wing Tom Rogers appears at full back, while Tomi Lewis is back in west Wales after returning from jersey. Former Loughborough University outside half Titcombe will partner another new signing in ex-RGC No 9, Efan Jones.
There are 13 players named among the replacements, including fit-again Scott Williams, and other Wales internationals in Kieran Hardy, Wyn Jones and Sam Wainwright. Josh Macleod, Ken Owens, Samson Lee and Joe Roberts are all on the injury list.
Cardiff Rugby: Jacob Beetham; Owen Lane, Harri Millard, Ben Thomas (captain), Theo Cabango; Thinus de Beer, Ellis Bevan; Rhys Carré, Evan Lloyd, Ciaran Parker, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Rory Thornton, Alex Mann, Luca de La Rua, Mackenzie Martin
Reps: Efan Daniel, Rhys Barratt, Will Davies-King, Rhys Litterick, T Williams, Ellis Jenkins, Jim Botham, Matthew Aubrey*, Arwel Robson, Aled Summerhill, Cam Winnett, Harrison James, Rey Lee-Lo
Scarlets: Tom Rogers; Tomi Lewis, Ioan Nicholas (captain), Eddie James, Ryan Conbeer; Charlie Titcombe, Efan Jones; Steff Thomas, Lewis Morgan, Harri O’Connor, Ed Scragg, 5 Morgan Jones, Ben Williams, Teddy Leatherbarrow, Carwyn Tuipulotu
Reps: Kemsley Mathias, Isaac Young, Sam Wainwright, Wyn Jones, Jac Price, Iwan Shenton, Luca Giannini, Dan Davis, Kieran Hardy, Jac Davies, Scott Williams, Macs Page, Ioan Lloyd
