Adam Thomson makes an early return from injury and Siale Piutau and Shaun Treeby are also back as the Highlanders chase a win against the Lions at Carisbrook tomorrow night.
The Highlanders have put out what looks like their top side after injuries forced them to cobble together a XV which ground out a win over the Hurricanes in Invercargill two weeks ago.
Thomson comes back on the blindside flank with Jarrad Hoeata moving into lock and replacing Tom Donnelly, who drops out of the squad.
Donnelly, who has endured a disrupted season with injury and form, has tweaked his back and has not trained all week.
Treeby has finally overcome a knee injury suffered against the Rebels in mid-April and his hard running and ability in the tackle will be much appreciated in the midfield. Matt Saunders drops to the bench.
Piutau has shrugged off a torn groin muscle which at one stage looked like putting his whole season in doubt. He returns to the left wing, replacing Telusa Veainu who is not in the 22.
Lima Sopoaga starts again in the No 10 jersey, with Tony Brown still under an injury cloud.
It will be Thomson's 50th game for the Highlanders. He made his debut in 2006, coming on against the Sharks at Carisbrook.
He broke a couple of ribs against the Chiefs on May 7, and was expected to be out for up to a month but has made a quicker than expected recovery.
The match looms as a key encounter for the Highlanders, who have four matches to go in their season and now have the chance to get into the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
But the Lions will not be a walk in the park. Despite being near the bottom of the table, they had a convincing win over the Brumbies two weeks ago and have run many teams close.
The visiting side has retained the same forward pack for the third week in a row but has shuffled its backline.
The experienced Butch James moves out to second five-eighth, with youngster Elton Jantjies moving off the bench back into the No 10 jersey.
Captain Doppies la Grange is named at centre, while right winger Dylan Des Fountain replaces Lionel Mapoe, who has gone home after picking up a nasty face injury last week.
The Lions are coached by former All Black coach John Mitchell, with one of his assistants being former Blues and All Black first five-eighth Carlos Spencer.
Highlanders v Lions
Carisbrook, tomorrow, 7.35pm
Highlanders: Ben Smith, Kade Poki, Kendrick Lynn, Shaun Treeby, Siale Piutau, Lima Sopoaga, Jimmy Cowan, Nasi Manu, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Josh Bekhuis, Jarrad Hoeata, Chris King, Mahonri Schwalger, Jamie Mackintosh (captain). Reserves: Jason Rutledge, Bronson Murray, Nick Crosswell, John Hardie, Aaron Smith, Matt Saunders, Robbie Robinson.
Lions: Jaco Taute, Dylan Des Fountain, Doppies la Grange (captain), Butch James, Deon van Rensburg, Elton Jantjies, Jano Vermaak, Josh Strauss, Michael Rhodes, Derick Minnie, Franco van der Merwe, Wikus van Heerden, Patric Cilliers, Bandise Maku, JC Janse van Rensburg. Replacements: Edgar Marutlulle, Jacobie Adriaanse, Warren Whiteley, Cobus Grobbelaar, Rory Kockott, Alwyn Hollenbach, Michael Killian.
