Jamie Roberts starts for Cardiff

British & Irish Lion centre Jamie Roberts will make his seasonal debut for Cardiff Blues against Connacht at The Sportsground on Friday.

Age Grade international Sam Warburton will make his debut in the Magners League in the back row of a side full of international quality.

New signings Sam Norton-Knight and Gareth Cooper must settle for a place on the bench as Ceri Sweeney and Richie Ress continue at half-back.

CARDIFF BLUES (v Connacht):

B Blair; L Halfpenny, G Thomas, J Roberts, C Czekaj; C Sweeney, R Rees; J Yapp, G Williams, T Filise, B Davies, P Tito, M Molitika, S Warburton, Xavier Rush.

Replacements: G Powell, T R Thomas, D Jones, A Powell; G Cooper, S Norton-Knight, G Evans.