In the backs, Jamie Roberts and Richard Mustoe, return to the starting line up. While in the back row, Robin Sowden Taylor comes in at Openside, with Martyn Williams moving down to the bench.
There is also a new front row with Taufa'ao Filise, Gareth Williams and John Yapp all starting.
Meanwhile, Seru Rabeni will make his first start of the season for Leicester Tigers
The Fijian, who returned from suspension to appear as a second-half replacement in last weekend's nine-try win over Benetton Treviso in the Heineken Cup, is named on the wing by head coach Heyneke Meyer.
Johne Murphy, who scored a hat-trick of tries in Italy last Saturday, moves to full-back, while Derick Hougaard returns at fly-half and Toby Flood moves to inside centre.
George Chuter and Boris Stankovich return to the front row and Richard Blaze is named in the second row as Ben Kay moves to the replacements' bench.
"We made a good start to the competition with the away win against Bath," said Meyer. "Now we have another tough game."
The Cardiff Blues will be aiming to send away the Leicester Tigers in this crucial EDF Energy Cup game and tickets for the match are still available.
Junor tickets priced at just £5. Tickets for adults are priced at £16 for terrace or family stand and £20 for grandstand. Tickets can be purchased by calling 029 2030 2030 or online at www.cardiffblues.com/tickets
Cardiff Blues: Ben Blair; Leigh Halfpenny, Jamie Robinson, Jamie Roberts, Richard Mustoe; Nick Robinson, Jason Spice; John Yapp, Gareth Williams, Taufa'ao Filise, Deiniol Jones, Paul Tito (capt), Maama Molitika, Robin Sowden Taylor, Andy Powell.
Replacements: Gary Powell, T Rhys Thomas, Scott Morgan, Martyn Williams, Richie Rees, Ceri Sweeney, Tom Shanklin.
Leicester 15 Johne Murphy 14 Seru Rabeni 13 Danny Hipkiss 12 Toby Flood 11 Matt Smith 10 Derick Hougaard 9 Harry Ellis 1 Boris Stankovich2 George Chuter 3 Julian White 4 Richard Blaze 5 Marco Wentzel 6 Martin Corry (captain) 7 Tom Croft 8 Jordan Crane
Replacements 16 Benjamin Kayser 17 Dan Cole 18 Ben Kay 19 Brett Deacon 20 Julien Dupuy 21 Ayoola Erinle 22 Tom Varndell
