The Crusaders are in Johannesburg preparing to take on the Lions at Ellis Park on Sunday morning (NZ time).  Crusaders Head Coach Todd Blackadder has made six changes to the starting line-up that faced the Hurricanes last weekend.

In the forwards, Dominic Bird joins Samuel Whitelock at lock after Luke Romano was ruled out of contention with a calf injury sustained early in the Hurricanes match.  Kieran Read is also unavailable for selection due to a head knock he received in the Hurricanes match, so Luke Whitelock will pull on the number eight jersey and George Whitelock comes in at number six.

Ryan Crotty will step up to the captaincy this week and also shifts from centre to second five.  Two backline players will get their first starts of the season – Kieron Fonotia at centre and Nemani Nadolo on the wing.

Kick off at Ellis Park is at 3:05am (NZ time) on Sunday morning.

Crusaders team to play the Lions:

1.        Wyatt Crockett

2.        Ben Funnell

3.        Owen Franks

4.        Dominic Bird

5.        Samuel Whitelock

6.        George Whitelock (VC)

7.        Matt Todd

8.        Luke Whitelock

9.        Andy Ellis

10.     Colin Slade

11.     Johnny McNicholl

12.     Ryan Crotty (C)

13.     Kieron Fonotia

14.     Nemani Nadolo

15.     Israel Dagg

RESERVES:

16.     Corey Flynn

17.     Daniel Lienert-Brown

18.     Nepo Laulala

19.     Jimmy Tupou

20.     Jordan Taufua

21.     Willi Heinz

22.     Tyler Bleyendaal

23.     Tom Taylor