European rugby is back this weekend, with the Welsh teams having named their sides for the opening round

European rugby is back this weekend, with Cardiff, Ospreys and Scarlets having all named their teams on Friday.

The Ospreys are in Georgia to take on Black Lion in their opening Challenge Cup fixture on Saturday afternoon, before the Scarlets welcome Newcastle Red Bulls to Llanelli later that same day as former Wales half-backs Dwayne Peel and Stephen Jones are reunited.

Then on Sunday, Cardiff head to English champions Northampton.

Here are the Welsh side's teams for the first weekend of Europe...

Cardiff forced into change after fixture nightmare

Cardiff have been forced into naming a much-changed side for their Champions Cup opener against Northampton Saints at DPD Stadium at Franklin's Gardens on Sunday (5.30pm).

A bizarre five-day turnaround between their first European game and their next United Rugby Championship fixture against the Sharks has seen Corniel van Zyl make nine changes to the starting side that were beaten by Leinster in Dublin last Saturday.

Despite being back in the top tier of European rugby, Cardiff have been forced to ring the changes, with hooker Daf Hughes captaining the side.

Sam Wainwright, Tom Manz, Rory Thornton, Semisi Paea, Taulupe Faletau, Jarrod Evans, Tom Bowen and Steffan Emanuel are the other new faces in the starting XV.

For Manz and Faletau, it could be a first appearance for Cardiff this season. Loanee lock Manz did briefly feature for Leicester earlier in the campaign, while Wales talisman Faletau was due to play last week for the first time since March - only to pull out before kick-off.

The trip to DPD Stadium represents another chance for the No. 8 to get back out there - just days before Steve Tandy names his autumn squad.

Of the other changes, prop Wainwright, back-row Paea, fly-half Evans and centre Emanuel are in line for their first start of the season.

On the bench, Joe Cowell, Lucas de la Rua and Wales wing Josh Adams are set to make their first appearances of the season.

It's unclear why Cardiff have been made to play a Sunday match in Europe, followed by a Friday night game on their return to the URC.

"It's a challenge," said van Zyl. "How it happened, I wouldn't know.

"But at least we knew it from the start when the fixtures came out. There's a lot of planning that's gone into that, just to find a way to give the best product on the pitch in these two games.

"That's the mindset we have. It's a challenge, but that's why we live, isn't it?

"It is tough, as it just depends on player availability. But this is a decent enough plan to be able to facilitate both fixtures."

After a strong URC debut, Matty Young retains the 15 jersey, with Mason Grady shifting wings to accommodate Bowen.

Wales U20s co-captain Emanuel earns his first start of the season in midfield, partnering Harri Millard. Scrum-half Aled Davies starts once again, as Wales fly-half Evans wears the 10 jersey for the first time since returning to the Welsh capital.

In the pack, loosehead Danny Southworth and openside Dan Thomas are the only survivors from last week's side.

The Saints have also made changes, with the likes of Henry Pollock, Alex Coles and Tommy Freeman all rested.

Cardiff: Matty Young; Mason Grady, Harri Millard, Steffan Emanuel, Tom Bowen; Jarrod Evans, Aled Davies; Danny Southworth, Daf Hughes (c), Sam Wainwright, Tom Manz, Rory Thornton, Semisi Paea, Dan Thomas, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Rhys Barratt, Joe Cowell, Josh McNally, Lucas de la Rua, Johan Mulder, Callum Sheedy, Josh Adams.

Welsh youngster handed Ospreys debut

Wales U20s full-back Lewis Edwards will make his senior debut this weekend after being named to start in the Ospreys' Challenge Cup opener away to Black Lion on Saturday (1pm)

Edwards has been tipped for a breakthrough campaign with Mark Jones' side, having been invited into Wales' alignment camps under Tandy twice in recent months.

Having attended one at the start of the summer, he was once again present for a camp at the start of the season.

Having earned their first win of the season last week, the Ospreys head into Europe making wholesale changes to their starting side.

Owen Watkin returns to captain the side in a completely new backline, partnering Wallabies centre Lalakai Foketi.

Another Australian import, Lawson Creighton, is handed a start in the fly-half jersey.

In the pack, only Ryan Smith remains from the starting forwards at Rodney Parade last Friday.

Lewis Jones partners him in the boiler room, behind a front-row of Steffan Thomas, Lewis Lloyd and Ben Warren.

In the back-row, Huw Sutton packs down at blindside, with Gwilym Evans on the openside and Morgan Morse at No. 8.

Ospreys: Lewis Edwards; Luke Morgan, Owen Watkin (c), Lalakai Foketi, Iestyn Hopkins; Lawson Creighton, Reuben Morgan-Williams; Steffan Thomas, Lewis Lloyd, Ben Warren, Lewis Jones, Ryan Smith, Huw Sutton, Gwilym Evans, Morgan Morse.

Replacements: Efan Daniel, Cameron Jones, Kian Hire, Ben Roberts, Morgan Morris, Luke Davies, Harri Wilde, Evardi Boshoff.

Back-row hands Wales timely boost

Back-row Taine Plumtree has handed Wales a timely boost, having been named on the bench for Scarlets' Challenge Cup clash with Newcastle Red Bulls (8pm).

Plumtree has recovered from shoulder surgery, having not played since Wales' win over Fiji back in July.

He takes his place on the replacement's pine, as the Scarlets name a strong side for their European curtain-raiser.

Having impressed off the bench last week, scrum-half Gareth Davies is handed a start.

Macs Page, having started the season strongly enough to warrant suggestions of a Wales call-up, makes his 50th appearance for the club at just 21 years of age.

There's also a first start of the season for No. 8 Fletcher Anderson, following his comeback from injury off the bench last week.

"Last weekend was a massive result for us, now it’s important to maintain the momentum against a Newcastle side who possess a lot of talent in their ranks and have already shown in the PREM how dangerous they can be," said Scarlets director of rugby Nigel Davies.

“We have spoken a lot already this season about building depth within this squad and we have been able to bring in plenty of quality as we look to start the EPCR Challenge Cup strongly.

“It’s a tough group and we are well aware of the importance of starting well in this competition. Our supporters had a huge role to play in helping us get over the line against Benetton last weekend and it will be great to see them out in force again.”

Scarlets: Blair Murray; Ellis Mee, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams, Macs Page; Sam Costelow, Gareth Davies; Kemsley Mathias, John McKee, Harri O'Connor, Harvey Cuckson, Alex Groves, Sam Lousi, Josh Macleod (c), Fletcher Anderson.

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Sam O'Connor, Gabe Hawley, Taine Plumtree, Dan Davis, Dane Blacker, Joe Hawkins, Eddie James.