Returning: Casey Laulala

With the international players returning, the Blues have made eleven changes ahead of Friday night’s match.

The Blues make six changes in the backs, with only Casey Laulala remaining in the starting XV from the team that lost to Leinster last Friday. There are a further five changes in forwards with only Xavier Rush, Paul Tito and Fau Filise keeping their places in the pack.

Cardiff Blues are looking to make it six of the best against Edinburgh Rugby – but forwards coach Justin Burnell insists that five match winning run against the Scottish capital side will count for nothing when the teams clash at Cardiff City Stadium on Friday night.

Three wins on the trot in the Pro12, along with an 18-17 home win and a 21-14 victory on the road in last season’s Heineken Cup leave the Blues looking for a sixth straight success.

“We do have a good record against Edinburgh but it counts for nothing at all now,” said Burnell. “It is all about current form and they are a fantastic side.”

“They were shown up by Munster but even then they were scoring tries. They are very capable in attack and can score tries. We are well aware that Edinburgh are a very good side. Michael Bradley has come in and given them a total overhaul, having done a fantastic job at Connacht.”

“They have formidable players like Tim Visser, Chris Paterson and Ross Ford and some of them are the form players in Europe.”

Starting XV:
15 Leigh Halfpenny
14 Alex Cuthbert
13 Casey Laulala
12 Jamie Roberts
11 Chris Czekaj
10 Dan Parks
9 Lloyd Williams
8 Xavier Rush
7 Sam Warburton
6 Michael Paterson
5 Paul Tito (c)
4 Bradley Davies
3 Taufa’ao Filise
2 T Rhys Thomas
1 Gethin Jenkins

Replacements:
16 Ryan Tyrell
17 John Yapp
18 Scott Andrews
19 Maama Molitika
20 Josh Navidi
21 Richie Rees
22 Ceri Sweeney
23 Gavin Evans

Not available due to injury
Andries Pretorius – knee
Deiniol Jones – shoulder
Martyn Williams – arm
Gavin Henson – wrist
Kristian Dacey – shoulder