Cardiff Blues coach John Mulvihill has told his players to put themselves in the spotlight by eclipsing Saracens on their own patch on Sunday afternoon.
The Blues travel to Allianz Park to take on the English champions – a team that are unbeaten this season and are many pundits’ tip to retain their European crown.
The Blues have won in Lyon but lost at home to Glasgow so far in Pool Three and their Australian coach has called on them to defy the odd again on their travels.
“This weekend will be a massive challenge but at the same time it is also a huge opportunity for us to make a statement and improve upon a narrow Pro 14 loss last weekend,” said Mulvihill.
“We are right in the mix in Pool 3 and these back-to-back matches against Saracens will be decisive. We have to rise to the occasion and we have already demonstrated we can step up in Europe with a great win over in Lyon.
“Saracens are at the top of their game at the moment so we are well aware of what’s coming at us this Sunday.
“This week is all about staying in the contest, competing for every piece of possession and putting their structured game plan under pressure and a good lead into our derby games that are just around the corner.”
Jarrod Evans has been selected in the unfamiliar position of inside centre as Mulvihill has rung the changes following defeat last week against Ulster.
Evans, normally the alternative option to Gareth Anscombe at No.10. instead combines with the Wales outside-half in an attack-minded 10-12 combination.
Harri Millard makkes his first European start for the region at outside centre.
It’s a team which shows four changes from the side that lost to Ulster with Dillon Lewis and Kirby Myhill both coming into the starting line-up in the front row.
The final change sees George Earle partner Seb Davies at lock, as Josh Turnbull moves to the blindside and Samu Manoa starts at No.8.
Lloyd Williams retains the captaincy in Ellis Jenkins’ absence, while Macauley Cook has recovered from an injury to be named amongst the replacements.
Mako Vunipola returns from injury to start for Sarries, but they are without his England and Lions teammate Maro Itoje, who is set to miss a number of weeks with a knee injury.
England prop Vunipola has been sidelined through injury since the European tie at Glasgow Warriors in October, a match which saw brother Billy and Nick Isiekwe pick up injuries.
The latter scored as he featured for the first time in eight weeks last time out against Wasps; he partners Will Skelton in the second row.
Hooker Jamie George broke his nose in what is being dubbed ‘the Battle of Glasgow’. He will make his 50th European appearance on Sunday.
Elsewhere, Schalk Burger comes in on the flank and Owen Farrell is reinstated at fly-half with Alex Goode switching back to full-back.
Saracens: Alex Goode; Sean Maitland, Alex Lozowski, Brad Barritt (capt), Alex Lewington; Owen Farrell, Richard Wigglesworth; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Vincent Koch, Nick Isiekwe, Will Skelton, Mike Rhodes, Schalk Burger, Jackson Wray
Replacements: Tom Woolstencroft, Richard Barrington, Christian Judge, Dom Day, Calum Clark, Ben Earl, Ben Spencer, Nick Tompkins.
Cardiff Blues: Matthew Morgan; Blaine Scully, Harri Millard, Jarrod Evans, Jason Harries; Gareth Anscombe, Lloyd Williams (capt); Rhys Gill, Kirby Myhill, Dillon Lewis, George Earle, Seb Davies, Josh Turnbull, Olly Robinson, Samu Manoa
Replacements: Ethan Lewis, Brad Thyer, Scott Andrews, Macauley Cook, Nick Williams, Lewis Jones, Steven Shingler, Garyn Smith
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistants: Cyril Lafon (France), Stephane Boyer (France)
TMO: Denis Grenouillet (France)
