Richmond's defence will begin life without Alex Rance against Collingwood, and now Bachar Houli is sidelined as well.

Already reeling from Rance's season-ending knee reconstruction, the Tigers have lost Houli with a hamstring injury for Thursday night's MCG blockbuster.

Richmond's Bachar Houli will miss with a hamstring injury. Credit:AAP

Coach Damien Hardwick said the experienced half-back's injury is only minor but they did not want to risk him so early in the season.

"We'll take the week; we're really conservative with these calls," Hardwick said.