The Wales centre endured a frustrating autumn campaign, suffering injuries against Argentina, New Zealand and Australia. His latest knock saw Roberts suffer an elbow injury against the Wallabies which forced him to miss the Blues’ Heineken Cup clashes with Montpellier and the games over the Christmas period.
But Roberts is now fit to return and starts at centre while fellow Welsh international Leigh Halfpenny has a place on the bench after recovering from a severe neck injury picked up in the same match.
The return of the two Welsh internationals is a huge boost for the region as they prepare for the tough trip to Musgrave Park.
“We go back into European competition in a week or so and going to Musgrave Park is as good as going to another European destination,” said coach Gareth Baber.
“We want to put a performance in that builds on what we’ve done over the festive period and progresses us towards where we want to be going.
“The squad has shown what they are capable of and we want to make sure that they are on top of their game when we face Munster.”
Roberts forms a new centre partnership with Wales Sevens regular Richard Smith who makes his regional debut but Alex Cuthbert and Andries Pretorius miss out.
The Wales winger has had stiches in his mouth and is unavailable while Pretorius is suffering with a shoulder problem. With Pretorius injured, Robin Copeland moves to No. 8 alongside Sam Warburton and Josh Navidi in the back row.
There is also a new face on the bench with 22 year-old Romanian international Petru Tamba set to make his Blues bow. The prop made his Romania debut against Japan in Bucharest last November and also faced the USA the same month.
