The Lions will have to face the Brumbies without an injured “King” Carlos Spencer when they play the Brumbies in Canberra this weekend. In addition Deon Van Rensburg, centre for the Lions, is on his way home after tearing muscles in his thumb.

It appears that Dick Muir will also rest Earl Rose, putting him on the bench and giving Michael Killian a run at No 15.

Dick Muir is making light of the impending team changes, ascribing the changes as part of the rotation policy. He even boldly predicts that this will be the Lions first win of the year.

If there is one thing we have learnt from experience from the Crusaders, the Brumbies and the Bulls who have won the Super 14, it is that consistency in selection is a cornerstone to ongoing success, so I frown upon too many changes which are not injury enforced.

The Lions will only officially name their team on Wednesday morning, but the backline will, in all probability, look like this:

15. Michael Kilian
14. Tonderai Chavanga
13. Walter Venter
12. Doppies Le Grange
11. Dusty Noble
10. Burton Francis
9.  Jacques Coetzee

Looking at this backline, compared to the Brumbies backline, it is very difficult to imagine the Lions winning against the Brumbies who certainly look like semi-final contenders.