Cardiff Blues welcome back Leigh Halfpenny for their RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Zebre but director of rugby Phil Davies insists the Italians are not to be underestimated.

The Blues won both encounters with Zebre last season, with the Italians claiming a losing bonus point in Parma in November.

Indeed the Welsh region have never lost at home to an Italian side in any competition since their formation in 2003.

In addition to Lions player of the series Halfpenny, Chris Czekaj is called up on the wing while Lewis Jones will make his first start of the season at scrum half.

A new-look pack will see Marc Breeze start at hooker as Matthew Rees is named among the replacements.

Wales international Lou Reed is named in the second row, with Bradley Davies suspended for two weeks following a league disciplinary hearing in Edinburgh.

Andries Pretorius will captain the team from the back row where he is joined by Macauley Cook who comes into the team at blindside flanker.

And Davies admits he has been impressed by Zebre this season as they led table toppers Munster 18-9 at half-time in their match last weekend.

“Zebre are a much-improved outfit and they have shown in the opening weeks of the season that they are not to be underestimated,” said Davies.

“They have recruited strongly with New Zealand international Brendon Leonard at half back and have the likes of Italian international stalwarts Marco Bortolami and Mauro Bergamasco marshalling the team.

“We were impressed with the way Zebre played against Munster last weekend. They also have a massive pack and they will bring real physicality to the contest.

“The team selected to start is primarily the side that finished the game with Connacht. That is because we want to keep continuity and build on the momentum we had at the end of last week's game.

“However, it is also crucial that we give players in the squad opportunities to feature so we can build that depth we need in the squad.”

Zebre's last four games have all been against Irish opponents, whilst their most recent fixture with a Welsh region was when they visited the Arms Park in April and lost 13-28.

But Zebre head coach Andrea Cavinato is hoping for a response from their Munster defeat when they travel to Wales.

“Last game against Munster we had a performance drop in the second half; we believe that it came from a lack of habit of playing at this high pace with such long sequences,” he said.

“We didn't realize points during all our offensive actions, while the Irish side have scored during quite all of their efforts.

“Every Zebre fans must trust in this team: we are confident to keep seeing continuous improvements.”

At Arms Park, 7.30pm.
Referee: Leo Colgan (IRFU, 12th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Sean Bicknell, Wayne Davies (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Richard Gwynn (WRU)