There is one change in the backs with Richard Smith coming in at centre for Dafydd Hewitt, who suffered a broken checkbone in last Friday’s match against Leinster.
The backrow sees Robin Copeland start at Number 8 and joined by Thomas Young at openside and Josh Navidi, who returns from the Wales squad, at blindside.
Michael Paterson moves to the second row and packs down with James Down. Fau Filise moves to the loose head, with Marc Breeze starting at hooker and Scott Andrews, who also returns from the Wales squad, also starting in the front row.
“The Six Nations is obviously a big part of the rugby season so you know that you will have these periods when you will be without your international players,” said Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby Phil Davies.Â
“You know they are coming so you have to plan for them.
“We’ve made a lot of progress as a squad and this is an opportunity for us up in Scotland.Â
“Last weekend we played some good rugby but lost ourselves for 15 minutes, which was disappointing, and cost us.
“We’re not gaining consistency in performances and therefore not getting consistent results.
“We’ve been developing our game this week and putting things in place we’d like to see on Friday night. If we perform well we can get the win.
“We have three league matches in February where we want to get wins and climb the league then a break where we can work on conditioning.”Â
