Gethin Jenkins, Bradley Davies, Sam Warburton, Lloyd Williams, Jamie Roberts and Leigh Halfpenny have all been selected in the Wales squad while prop forward Fau Filise is with Tonga and Dan Parks with Scotland.
Blues forwards coach Justin Burnell said, “It’s going to work in two ways, it’s going to affect team performance because some of our better players will be at the World Cup, but on the other hand it gives us the opportunity to look at our younger players and perhaps some other players that have been vying to get that first team spot.”
“I think it’s going to be a plus in many ways and quite exciting. These players will have the opportunity, depending on how quickly they can step up to the mark.”
“We have lost eight players, six Welsh players, one Scottish and one Tongan. I think when I’ve looked at some of the squads there has been an average of 8 to 10 players missing across the board from those bigger teams.”
“I imagine it’s going to be about strength in depth of the teams and who has the best development programme that come to the fore.”
Cardiff Blues and Edinburgh met on four occasions in 2010/11 with the Blues victorious in each instance.
“We are of course within an environment where we are looking at the first six weeks block,” added Burnell.
“We have six games before going into the LV=Cup we are hoping to be successful in those games and then to go into the LV=Cup with a bit of momentum.”
Edinburgh Rugby head coach Michael Bradley has made three personnel changes to the side that defeated Newcastle Falcons (20-17) the visit of Cardiff Blues at Murrayfield.
The match is Bradley’s first competitive encounter at the capital club since he took the helm at the beginning of the summer and, having come through back-to-back pre-season victories, excitement is building towards the first home game.
He said: “Home advantage is massive in all sports and rugby is no different. The concept of the stadium within the stadium was excellent last Friday night. It looked great and the crowd reacted really positively to the players and the action. It’s a completely different feel.
Edinburgh Rugby 15 Jim Thompson 14 Lee Jones 13 Simon Webster 12 Matt Scott 11 Tim Visser 10 Phil Godman 9 Greig Laidlaw (capt);1 Kyle Traynor 2 Steven Lawrie 3 Lewis Niven 4 Grant Gilchrist 5 Steven Turnbull 6 Sean Cox 7 Roddy Grant 8 David Denton
Replacements16 Andrew Kelly 17 Robin Hislop 18 Jack Gilding 19 Esteban Lozada 20 Hamish Watson 21 Chris Leck 22 Gregor Hunter 23 John Houston
Cardiff Blues 15. Chris Czekaj 14. Richard Mustoe 13. Casey Laulala 12. Gavin Evans 11. Tom James 10. Ceri Sweeney 9. Richie Rees; 8. Andries Pertorius 7. Martyn Williams 6. Michael Paterson 5. Deiniol Jones 4. James Down 3. Scott Andrews 2. T Rhys Thomas (capt) 1. Sam Hobbs
Replacements 16. Rhys Williams 17. Nathan Trevett 18. Ryan Harford 19. Paul Tito 20. Maama Molitika 21. Lewis Jones 22. Gareth Davies 23. Dafydd Hewitt
