Blues boss Phil Davies has included national skipper Sam Warburton, full back Leigh Halfpenny, wing Alex Cuthbert and lock forward Bradley Davies for the second round tie against the Scots.
All four played their part on Wales’ summer tour of Australia but missed the promising opening day win over Connacht last weekend.
Warburton admitted after the final pre-season fixture with Bath that he was keen to get back into the swing of things sooner rather than later and Davies has granted him that wish for the Blues’ first game back at the Arms Park.
But despite being able to call on some of his most potent players and having won away in Galway last time out, Davies insists he is expecting a tough night at the office when Edinburgh arrive in the capital.
“I’ve watched Edinburgh and they are a very committed side who like to play an expansive style of rugby and are very competitive throughout all areas of the game,” said Davies.
“They come off the back of a successful season last year which saw them reach the semi-final of the Heineken Cup. Therefore their confidence will be high.
“They have some outstanding players in their ranks with the likes of (Tim) Visser, (Dave) Denton and (Greig) Laidlaw and of course they have recruited ex-Blues players Richie Rees and John Yapp.
“We expect a pretty dogged performance off them but also an expansive style which we ourselves are endeavouring to produce.
“It is fantastic to be back at the Arms Park and Peter Thomas along with Richard Holland deserve massive credit for making this happen.
“The staff at the Arms Park have done a magnificent job since we have been back and hopefully you will all see and appreciate all the work that has been undertaken during the summer.”
Davies makes a total of seven changes from the side that beat Connacht, with Dan Fish, Harry Robinson and Robin Copeland making way for Halfpenny, Cuthbert and Davies respectively.
Josh Navidi moves from openside to blindside to accommodate Warburton, with Rory Watts-Jones missing out altogether.
Rhys Williams comes in for Andy Kyriacou at hooker, while Benoit Bourrust replaces Tom Davies at tight-head prop and a fit-again Dafydd Hewitt takes over from Gareth Davies at inside centre.
Cardiff Blues (v Edinburgh, Arms Park, Friday, 7.05pm)
15. Leigh Halfpenny 14. Alex Cuthbert 13. Gavin Evans 12. Dafydd Hewitt 11. Tom James 10. Ceri Sweeney 9. Lewis Jones; 1.Taufa’ao Filise, 2.Rhys Williams, 3.Benoit Bourrust, 4. Bradley Davies, 5. James Down 6. Josh Navidi, 7. Sam Warburton, 8. Andries Pretorius (captain)
Replacements:16. Marc Breeze 17. Nathan Trevett 18.Thomas Davies 19. Lou Reed 20.Luke Hamilton 21.Lloyd Williams 22. Rhys Patchell 23. Thomas Williams
