Navidi, who has been out of action since October, will be hoping to prove his fitness ahead of the return of the EPCR Challenge Cup next month, with Cardiff dropping into the Round of 16 following their elimination from the Heineken Champions Cup.
The British & Irish Lion comes in at openside flanker as one of five changes to the starting XV for Cardiff’s last competitive game, which was an impressive victory over Leinster Rugby in January.
Ellis Jenkins starts at blindside flanker, with lock Matthew Screech, prop Brad Thyer and centre Willis Halaholo also brought in.
#ThrowbackThursday to this high-scoring encounter between @LondonIrish and @Cardiff_Rugby 🙌
Who will go the furthest in this year’s #ChallengeCupRugby knockout stages? 👀 pic.twitter.com/5hS9qbbm4s
— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) March 3, 2022
Meanwhile, Edinburgh Rugby, who are in a strong position to secure a place in the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 through Pool C ahead of Round 5 next month, host Connacht Rugby.
Hooker Dave Cherry is set to make his 50th appearance for the Scottish region, while other changes to the starting XV from their defeat at Munster Rugby two weeks ago see prop Angus Williams, lock Pierce Phillips, No.8 Mesu Kunavula, scrum-half Henry Pyrgos and centre Chris Dean called in.
In Friday’s Gallagher Premiership contest, Newcastle Falcons, another side gunning for the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 in the pool stage finale next month, travel to Harlequins.
There is a reshuffle of the pack for Falcons, who lost at home to Bath Rugby last time out, with lock Rob Farrar and No.8 Tom Marshall coming in, while Sean Robinson switches to flanker.
Centre Pete Lucock replaces Matias Orlando and Mike Brown continues at full-back to face his former club.