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Stirling Mortlock returns to lead the Brumbies, one of two changes made to the starting line-up for their final home match of the Super 14 season - when they tackle the lowly Lions in Canberra on Friday.

Mortlock returns to his customary position at outside centre, after missing the Brumbies' 27-21 win over the Sharks last week - due to a head knock suffered the previous week against the Blues.

Mortlock's reinstatement pushes Adam Ashley-Cooper to the wing, after scoring two tries against the Sharks.

Wing Peter Playford has been ruled out through injury, while Francis Fainifo holds down his position on the left wing.

Hooker John Ulugia has been elevated to the starting front row in the only change to the Brumbies' forward pack.

The 21-year-old says he's pleased to be included in the run-on side.

"It's always great to get into the starting side," he said. "The side has been going well in the last few weeks and it's important that we continue playing well.

"The Lions have a strong forward pack so we need to make sure our set piece is strong and we're recycling our own ball."

No.8 Julian Salvi retains his position at the back of the scrum, while Stephen Hoiles will start on the forward-weighted bench after scans cleared him of a cheek injury sustained against the Sharks.

Hoiles joins Saia Faingaa among the Brumbies' replacements - alongside Peter Kimlin, Ben Alexander and Josh Holmes who each made a significant impact off the bench against the Sharks.

Brumbies Head Coach Laurie Fisher says his side will be looking for strong performance in their final regular match at Canberra Stadium this season.

"It has been pleasing to see the attitude and self belief that the side has approached the last two matches with," he said.

"There have been a lot of pleasing aspects from our last two performances and it's very important that we continue to build on that confidence and take our game forward over the final four rounds of the competition.

"At 113 kilograms, Luge [Ulugia] will give some size and stability to our set piece. He's still developing a lot of the technical aspects of the position, but he's very strong and he gets around the field well for someone of his size.

"We need to continue to get consistency in our set piece and use that as a platform to attack from against a very enthusiastic Lions outfit."

Brumbies: 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Stirling Mortlock (captain), 12 Tyrone Smith, 11 Francis Fainifo, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Patrick Phibbs, 8 Julian Salvi, 7 George Smith, 6 Mitchell Chapman, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Alister Campbell, 3 Guy Shepherdson, 2 John Ulugia, 1 Nic Henderson.
Replacements: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Salesi Ma'afu, 18 Peter Kimlin, 19 Ben Alexander, 20 Stephen Hoiles, 21 Joshua Holmes, 22 Sanualio Afeaki.

Date: Friday, 25 April
Venue: Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 19.40 (09.40 GMT)
Referee: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Chris Pollock (New Zealand), Brett Bowden (Australia)
Television match official: Steve Leszczynski (Australia)
Assessor: Wayne Erickson (Australia)