Ben Blair slots in at fullback

The Blues have made five changes to the team that narrowly lost to Munster last Friday.

There are two changes in the backs with Ben Blair starting at fullback and Ceri Sweeney at inside centre. Chris Czekaj moves to the wing from 15 in place of Tom James who moves down to the bench.

There are three changes in the forwards. Xavier Rush has recovered from illness and will start at Number 8 with Molitika moving to the bench. In the front row T Rhys Thomas and Sam Hobbs start with Ryan Tyrell and John Yapp also moving to the bench.

The Blues face a Benetton Treviso side that have lost their last four matches in the RaboDirect PRO12 since their 37-14 home win over Aironi on New Year’s Eve.

Cardiff Blues have never lost to an Italian opponent in any competition and have beaten Treviso in all three previous encounters. However, the Italians are unbeaten in their last three home games against Welsh regions in all competitions.

Starting XV:
15 Ben Blair
14 Richard Mustoe
13 Gavin Evans
12 Ceri Sweeney
11 Chris Czekaj
10 Dan Parks
9 Richie Rees
8 Xavier Rush
7 Martyn Williams
6 Michael Paterson
5 Paul Tito (c)
4 Cory Hill
3 Scott Andrews
2 T Rhys Thomas
1 Sam Hobbs

Replacements:
16 Ryan Tyrell
17 John Yapp
18 Ryan Harford
19 Macauley Cook
20 Maama Molitika
21 Lewis Jones
22 Harry Robinson
23 Tom James

Not available due to injury:
Casey Laulala – hamstring
Fau Filise – shoulder
Dafydd Hewitt – hamstring
James Down – ankle
Andries Pretorius – knee
Deiniol Jones – shoulders