For the first time this season, Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees and Adam Jones start alongside one-another in a Blues side that sees four changes from their 24-24 draw at Connacht.
Principality Premiership player of the year Geraint Walsh makes his full debut on the wing for the Arms Park region at the Liberty Stadium. Flanker Josh Turnbull is recalled in the back-row while the final change sees Josh Navidi play at no.8 alongside Wales captain Sam Warburton.
The Ospreys maintained their 100 percent record in Italy last week as they edged past Zebre 15-14. Steve Tandy has made six changes to his team in an attempt to make it six Guinness PRO12 wins in a row.
He has re-united the fruitful partnership of Rhys Webb and Dan Biggar, who have a combined points total of 74 points already this season. Biggar has recovered from concussion and Webb is recalled in place of Martin Roberts, with Andrew Bishop coming into the midfield in-place of last week’s skipper Jonathan Spratt. Eli Walker also makes his return from a troublesome shoulder injury.
Influential leader Alun Wyn Jones will captain the side from the second-row and Sam Lewis gets his first start of the season at open-side flanker. Wales no.8 Dan Baker is the final change, as he replaces Morgan Allen.
Ospreys Head Coach Tandy cannot wait for derby day. He said: “Derby day at the Liberty Stadium is always something special and it’ll be no different on Sunday. Make no mistake about it, the Blues will come here looking for the win and believing that they can do it.
“There’s real quality throughout their squad, players who can hurt teams from anywhere, so we know that we’ll have to be switched on from the first whistle and be at our very best.”
Blues Director of Rugby Hammett said: “It’s a derby game so there will be good line-ups and big battles right across the field.
“The big thing is to not be too pre-occupied about the opposition. We need to get really focussed on what we are doing and what we are trying to take into the game and do right. That is our best chance of performing.”
Ospreys: D Evans, J Hassler, A Bishop, J Matevesi, E Walker, D Biggar, R Webb; N Smith, S Baldwin, D Arhip, L Peers, AW Jones (c), J King, S Lewis, D Baker.
Replacements: S Parry, D Jones, A Jarvis, J Bearman, M Allen, M Roberts, S Davies, T Grabham.
Cardiff Blues: A Thomas, A Cuthbert, C Allen, G Evans, G Walsh, R Patchell, L Jones; G Jenkins, M Rees (c), A Thomas, J Hoeata, F Paulo, J Turnbull, S Warburton, J Navidi.
Replacements: K Dacey, S Hobbs, S Andrews, M Cook, M Vosawai, L Williams, G Davies, D Fish.
