Liam Williams and Leigh Halfpenny are to go head-to-head just days before Warren Gatland names his Wales squad for the Six Nations.
Gatland has previously spoken of his concern at the age profile of the squad Wales took into action last autumn and, given Williams and Halfpenny are over 30, the New Zealander would be forgiven for having concerns about the 15 jersey.
But the experienced pair remain streets ahead of every other full-back option in Wales, and it would be a massive surprise if either were not named in the Six Nations squad.
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Saturday's derby at the Arms Park between Cardiff and the Scarlets could then go a long way to deciding who wears the number 15 jersey against Ireland next month, while it is also possible Gatland find room for both in his back-three.
Cardiff have been hampered by a sizeable injury list which includes Josh Navidi, Willis Halaholo, Jacob Beetham, Gwilym Bradley, Jamie Hill, Max Llewellyn, Theo Cabango, Dillon Lewis and Liam Belcher.
They make two front-row changes with Dmitri Arhip and Kirby Myhill replacing Will Davies-King and Liam Belcher. Centre Ben Thomas makes his 50th appearance with Rhys Priestland among the replacements.
Cardiff, who are eighth in the United Rugby Championship table, will be hoping to bounce back from their Boxing Day defeat to the Ospreys.
"We were disappointed with our loss to the Ospreys, and parts of our performance, but there were also elements we were pleased with and that's what we are looking to build on this week," said Cardiff director of rugby Dai Young.
"It is great to have another Welsh derby at the Arms Park and we are expecting another big crowd so it will be brilliant occasion for us.
"The Scarlets won here last season and they have won three of their last four games so they will be coming here with confidence and looking to continue their upward trajectory and we have to stop that."
Scarlets boss Dwayne Peel has recalled experienced Wales centre Jonathan Davies who will captain the side, while Steff Thomas and Scotland international Javan Sebastian come into the front-row.
Peel has also handed a first start of the season to Wales U20s No 8 Carwyn Tuipulotu who replaces the suspended Sione Kalamafoni while Argentina international Tomas Lezana returns from suspension to take his place on the replacements bench.
“Cardiff have been excellent since they won here in a closely-contested game earlier in the season," said Scarlets defence coach Gareth Williams.
"They move the ball really well and have threats around the 8, 9,10 channel which opens their game up. We are excited to meet that challenge at the Arms Park.”
Cardiff: Liam Williams; Owen Lane, Rey Lee-Lo, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams; Rhys Carré, Kirby Myhill, Dmitri Arhip, Lopeti Timani, Seb Davies, Josh Turnbull (capt), Thomas Young, Taulupe Faletau. Replacements: Efan Daniel, Corey Domachowski, Keiron Assiratti, Teddy Williams, Ellis Jenkins, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland, Mason Grady.
Scarlets: Leigh Halfpenny; Johnny McNicholl, Joe Roberts, Jonathan Davies (capt), Steff Evans; Rhys Patchell, Dane Blacker; Steff Thomas, Ken Owens, Javan Sebastian, Vaea Fifita, Sam Lousi, Aaron Shingler, Dan Davis, Carwyn Tuipulotu. Replacements: Shaun Evans, Kemsley Mathias, Sam Wainwright, Morgan Jones, Tomás Lezana, Gareth Davies, Dan Jones, Ioan Nicholas.
Referee: Joy Neville (IRFU)
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