The Brumbies have announced their team for this weekend’s crucial clash with the Lions in Johannesburg.

Back row utility Julian Salvi replaces injured captain Stephen Hoiles at No.8 after Hoiles tore his medial ligament in the CA Brumbies’ 21-11 win over the Waratahs last weekend. Hoiles is expected to be sidelined between three and six weeks with a replacement captain to be decided upon later this week.

The CA Brumbies front row has also been reconfigured with tighthead prop Guy Shepherdson recovering from a stomach infection that ruled him out of the Waratahs clash while loosehead prop Ben Alexander will make his first start in an Investec Super 14 fixture against the Lions.

The much improved backline gets another run. Also cult hero in the making, the Brobdingnagian Sitaleki Timani is coming off the bench as an impact player.

The side is:

1. Ben Alexander
2. Stephen Moore
3. Guy Shepherson
4. Ben Hand
5. Mark Chisholm
6. Peter Kimlin
7. George Smith
8. Julian Salvi
9. Joshua Holmes
10. Christian Lealiifano
11. Francis Fainifo
12. Tyrone Smith
13. Stirling Mortlock
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper
15. Mark Gerrard

Reserves

16. Huia Edmonds
17. Nic Henderson
18. Sitaleki Timani
19. Shawn Mackay
20. Patrick Phibbs
21. Matt Toomua
22. Clyde Rathbone

If they can’t beat the Lions there’s not much point continuing with the season.