Five summer signings debut against Chiefs

Scrum half Tavis Knoyle is among those handed the chance to impress and will team up with Rhys Patchell at half back as Blues kick-off preparations ahead of the new Guinness Pro12 season.

Winger George Watkins is let loose out wide for the first time since a switch from Bristol with Richard Smith on the opposite flank following his impressive performances captaining the region in the Premiership Rugby 7s Series.

Tighthead prop Craig Mitchell makes his Blues bow in the front row against his former club and will pack down alongside hooker Rhys Williams and loosehead prop Thomas Davies.

The final new face in the starting line-up is Ieuan Jones at Number Eight. The ex-Dragons man is joined by captain for the night Josh Navidi and flanker Macauley Cook in the back row.

Powerful Italian international back row Manoa Vosawai is named among the replacements and will be keen to make an impact from the bench on his debut.

Cardiff Blues have named a 28-man squad for the opening pre-season fixture and Attack Coach Paul John is eager to see players put their hands up for selection ahead of the new season and opener with Zebre in September.

He said: “The squad is a mix of youth and experience. We have the small matter of the World Club 7s in Twickenham as well at the weekend so we have split the squad up a little bit.

“There is an interesting mix to our line-up as we look at different combinations and we expect Exeter to be the same, having spoken to Ceri Sweeney about it.

“It is a chance for the boys to get on the field and no matter how much you play against each other in training it is never the same as when you get a real hit out.”

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Cardiff Blues: 15 Dan Fish, 14 Richard Smith, 13 Gavin Evans, 12 Dafydd Hewitt, 11 George Watkins, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Tavis Knoyle; 1 Thomas Davies, 2 Rhys Williams, 3 Craig Mitchell, 4 Lou Reed, 5 Chris Dicomidis, 6 Macauley Cook, 7 Josh Navidi (c), 8 Ieuan Jones

Replacements: 16 Ethan Lewis, 17 Sam Hobbs, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Miles Normandale, 20 Rory Watts-Jones, 21 Lewis Jones, 22 Gareth Davies, 23 Cory Allen, 24 Ellis Jenkins, 25 Manoa Vosawai, 26 Garyn Smith, 27 Geraint Walsh, 28 Dillon Lewis