The veteran No 8 will be playing his 35th game in the Heineken Cup, only two appearances behind Jonathan Humphreys in the club’s all time list. It will be the club’s 44th European match,
Cardiff, Heineken Cup quarter-finalists on five occasions, remain winless in the Pool, and will be desperate avoid finishing the pool stage without a victory.
The Cardiff cause is hindered by injuries to key players including club captain Martyn Williams and Wales international full back Rhys Williams.
Coach David Young said: ‘Martyn has only missed two of our 19 fixtures this season and he has picked up an accumulation of injuries. As well as a sore ankle he had a bang on the shoulder against Ulster so we have decided not to risk him this week.
‘Our other notable absentee is Rhys Williams with an injury to the back of his knee. Another knock on it now would not do him any good but we expect him to be available next week.’
Dan Baugh switches to open-side flanker and Dan McShane wears the number six shirt, and Donavan van Vuuren comes in at full back and in a reshuffled back row
Adam Jones at lock in another change in the pack. ‘John Tait has been playing through the pain barrier,’ said Young.
But the promising combination of Nick Robinson and Ryan Powell at half-back will be employed by Young.
‘Both Nick and Ryan did well last week and they deserve another chance,’ said the coach.
Cardiff: D. Van Vuuren; N Walne, J Robinson, M Allen, C Morgan; N Robinson, R Powell; P Rogers, G Woods, T Payne, H Senekal, A Jones, D McShane, E Lewis (captain), D Baugh
Replacements: D Young, J Yapp, J Tait, R Sowden-Taylor, R Smith, I Harris, D Dewdney
