Cardiff name side to face Scarlets in URC opener
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Summer signings Scott Sio and Le Roux Malan will make their competitive debuts as Cardiff Rugby kick-off their BKT United Rugby Championship against Scarlets on Saturday.
The Blue & Blacks travel to Llanelli showing starting changes to the starting XV that faced Exeter Chiefs last weekend.
Club captain Liam Belcher packs down in between Sio, who arrived from Exeter in the summer, and former Scarlet Javan Sebastian.
Josh McNally and Teddy Williams form a familiar second-row partnership and there is further continuity in the back-row in the shape of Alex Mann, Dan Thomas and Taine Basham.
Johan Mulder and Callum Sheedy continue their half-back combination, while Ben Thomas and Malan form a new-look midfield.
After recovering from illness, Cam Winnett returns at full-back, with Jacob Beetham moving to the wing and Mason Grady completing the back-three.
Cardiff Rugby head coach Corniel van Zyl said: “We are really looking forward to kicking-off the season and the fact that it’s a Welsh derby first up makes it even more exciting.
“With that excitement also comes a massive challenge and we know we are going up against a formidable Scarlets side at home, and they will also be determined to start well.
“We had two really close and competitive games against the Scarlets last season. They were two crazy games where I believe both home side’s should have won but on both occasions the sway team took the win.
“So we are expecting another full-blooded derby but we have prepared well and are looking forward to it. It’s about getting as much of our game on the pitch, applying pressure on them and fighting for every moment.”
There is plenty of experience on the bench, which contains six capped Wales internationals, including Jarrod Evans.
The fly-half returned to the club in the summer, following three seasons with Harlequins, and is set for his first appearance in Blue & Black since facing the Ospreys in his 126th first team appearance, back in 2023.
