Ben Thomas will captain Cardiff Blues A as they take on their Dragons counterparts at Ystrad Mynach later today (KO 4.00pm).
The game has been arranged to ensure the entire first team squad and senior academy enjoy significant game time in the absence of both the usual Celtic Cup and Indigo Welsh Premiership competitions.
After a breakthrough 2019/20 campaign, centre Thomas will make his first outing of the season, combining with fellow academy graduate Max Llewellyn in midfield.
Ioan Davies lines up at full back, with Harri Millard on the wing. They are joined in the back three by Morgan Williams, with the former Scarlets and Wales Sevens wing currently on trial with the region.
Summer signing Luke Scully will wear the number 10 jersey. His half back partner is fellow Wales under-20 international Ellis Bevan, who featured for Cardiff Met last season.
Iestyn Harris, who penned his first professional deal with the region, is selected at hooker, with Rowan Jenkins and Keiron Assiratti featuring at prop.
Rhys Anstey and Teddy Williams pack down in the boiler room, with Sean Moore, Gwilym Bradley and Alex Mann given the nod at back row.
Coach T Rhys Thomas said: “This game will provide valuable game-time for these boys, and it’s an opportunity for them to put their hands up for involvement in the senior team.
“It’s a busy schedule this year, and there will be opportunities opening up, so it’s important that they stake their claim, and this is a perfect scenario to do that.
“We have a nice blend of boys who have featured regularly in the senior side, alongside some of our promising youngsters. They will all be itching to go out there to prove a point while also getting some much needed match fitness under their belts.”
The bench features academy members Ethan Lloyd, Ben Warren and Jacob Beetham, as well as Will Davies-King and Mason Grady, who signed senior contracts in recent months.
Cardiff hooker Evan Yardley and Pontypridd loosehead prop Huw Owen, who both featured for Cardiff Blues A in the Celtic Cup last year, are also amongst the replacements.
Cardiff Blues A: Ioan Davies; Harri Millard, Max Llewellyn, Ben Thomas (capt.), Morgan Williams; Luke Scully, Ellis Bevan; Rowan Jenkins, Iestyn Harris, Keiron Assiratti, Rhys Anstey, Teddy Williams, Sean Moore, Gwilym Bradley, Alex Mann
Replacements: Evan Yardley, Huw Owen, Ben Warren, Will Davies-King, Ethan Lloyd, Jacob Beetham, Mason Grady