Blues v Sale: Teams

Gareth Thomas will make his first start for Cardiff on Friday night when they host Sale in the EDF Energy Cup.

The Wales international is named at inside centre in a much-changed Blues line-up from their last outing, a Magners League win over Connacht.

Director of rugby David Young has selected Thomas alongside Tom Shanklin, while Jason Spice and Nicky Robinson will form a new-look half-back pairing.

Xavier Rush is named at number eight in the pack, forming the back row with flankers Robin Sowden-Taylor and Maama Molitka.

There is also a first start for Rhys Thomas at hooker, as the Blues look to win at home before tough away trips to Leicester and Bath.

French fancy

Hooker Sebastien Bruno goes straight into Sale's side for the trip to Wales after returning from World Cup duty with France.

Compatriot Sebastien Chabal is also back at Edgeley Park, although director of rugby Philippe Saint Andre has not selected the flanker.

Along with England duo Mark Cueto and Andrew Sheridan, and Argentina pairing Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe and Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Chabal will be considered for action against Bath next week.

Ben Foden has been ruled out through illness while skipper Jason White has not recovered from a knee injury picked up against Gloucester.

"We welcome Sebastien Bruno back from the World Cup this week and he goes straight back into the team," Saint Andre said.

"He did not play much rugby during the World Cup and is keen to get back playing regularly.

"I have given the players who played in the World Cup last weekend a few days off but all of them will be back in full training from Monday and all will be in contention for a place in the 22 for next Friday's EDF game against Bath at Edgeley Park."

Cardiff Blues team: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Tom James, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 Gareth Thomas, 11 Jamie Roberts, 10 Nicky Robinson, 9 Jason Spice; 1 Gethin Jenkins, 2 T Rhys Thomas, 3 Gary Powell, 4 Deiniol Jones, 5 Paul Tito, 6 Maama Molitka, 7 Robin Sowden-Taylor, 8 Xavier Rush (capt)

Replacements: 16 John Yapp, 17 Gareth Williams, 18 Robert Sidoli, 19 Ben White, 20 Richie Rees, 21 Nick Macleod, 22 Rhys Williams

Sale team: 15 Julien Laharrague, 14 Rory Lamont, 13 Rudi Keil, 12 Lee Thomas, 11 Oriol Ripol, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Sililo Martens; 1 Lionel Faure, 2 Sebastien Bruno, 3 Benoit Bourrust, 4 Dean Schofield, 5 Sean Cox, 6 Chris Jones, 7 Magnus Lund, 8 Nathan Bonner-Evans

Replacements: Neil Briggs, Ben Evans/Stuart Turner, Chris Day, Michael Hills, Richard Wigglesworth, Chris Mayor, Elvis Seveali'I/ Steve Hanley