The Crusaders have named Richie McCaw for the first time this season in their team to face the Waratahs in Sydney on Sunday.

McCaw has recovered from the surgery he received on his right foot last year and will start from the bench.

Head Coach Todd Blackadder has named his team which has three changes to the starting fifteen that beat the Hurricanes last weekend.

Blackadder has named another new face on the bench as Luke Romano will partner up with Tom Donnelly at lock, and Samuel Whitelock moves to the reserves.

Ben Franks moves from tighthead to loosehead prop this week and Owen Franks will start at tighthead.

Wyatt Crockett will be ready to provide support from the bench.

Hooker Ben Funnell may get his first run for the Crusaders this season if he comes off the bench for starting hooker Corey Flynn.

Crusaders:

1. Ben Franks 2. Corey Flynn 3. Owen Franks 4. Tom Donnelly 5. Luke Romano 6. George Whitelock 7. Matt Todd 8. Kieran Read 9. Andy Ellis 10. Tom Taylor 11. Zac Guildford 12. Dan Carter 13. Robbie Fruean 14. Adam Whitelock, 15. Israel Dagg

Reserves: 16. Ben Funnell 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Samuel Whitelock 19. Richie McCaw 20. Willi Heinz 21. Ryan Crotty 22. Tom Marshall