The 22-year-old wing scored 13 tries in 18 Premiership games for the Blue & Blacks in 2004/05 and won his international cap at the end of that season before he played regional rugby.
Jarvis has taken his Cardiff career points’ tally to 1189 in 92 games and returns to another of his old hunting grounds at Sardis Road – in four seasons with Pontypridd he amassed 717 points.
With Roger Davies injured and Leigh Halfpenny playing for the Blues, Morgan switches back to full back with Nathan Rees, who scored 11 tries in 10 games last season, filling the wing vacancy.
In the pack Matthew Veater makes his Premiership debut and Damian Welch moves from lock to flanker while Scott Roberts and Kristian Gay form a new prop combination.
Last season the Blue & Blacks completed a first Premiership double over Pontypridd, including a 23-10 victory at Sardis Road.
Cardiff: Craig Morgan; Nathan Rees, Gareth Chapman, Luke Ford, Chris Czekaj; Lee Jarvis, Owen Ruttley (captain); Scott Roberts, Kieran Crawford, Kristian Gay, Matthew Veater, James Down, Damian Welch, Adam Powell, Nick Hampson
Replacements: Rhys James, Richard Cornock, Craig Everett, Rhys Shellard, Garyn Lucas, Gareth Davies, Shaun James
Referee: Nigel Owens
Ends