Two Chiefs Super Rugby champions have been named in the Wellington Lions starting XV to play Taranaki tomorrow night.

Charlie Ngatai will start at fullback in New Plymouth, while Ross Filipo will lock the scrum in place of Jeremy Thrush, who has been promoted to the All Blacks' bench thanks to Luke Romano's injury.

Ngatai and Filipo missed the opening round of the NPC because of an enforced stand-down period following the Super Rugby final.

Other changes to the starting side include Motu Matu'u at hooker, returning from a broken arm in place of Dane Coles, who has been named on the All Blacks' bench.

Frae Wilson starts at halfback in place of TJ Perenara, while Faifili Levave replaces Brad Shields at blindside in the starting side.

Reggie Goodes, Eric Sione, and Ardie Savea also return from injury and will start on the Lions' bench at Yarrow Stadium.

Victor Vito will captain the side in place of Thrush while Ngatai's inclusion pushes Matt Proctor to the wing with Sinoti Sinoti dropping out of the squad.

The Lions thrashed Counties-Manukau in round one while Taranaki suffered a disappointing loss to Canterbury.

WELLINGTON LIONS: Charlie Ngatai, Matt Proctor, Tim Bateman, Shaun Treeby, Joe Hill, Lima Sopoaga, Frae Wilson, Victor Vito (c), Adam Hill, Faifili Levave, Mark Reddish, Ross Filipo, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Motu Matu'u, John Schwalger. Reserves: Reggie Goodes, Eric Sione, Kaipati Gaualofa, Brad Shields, Ardie Savea, Tomasi Palu, Afa Fa'atau