No8 Crane has been part of the matchday squad in all three games so far this season, but runs out at the head of the team in the absence of Geordan Murphy, who suffered a knee injury in the draw against Saracens at Wembley last weekend.
Scott Hamilton reverts to full-back in place of Murphy, with Niall Morris coming into the backline.
Matt Smith is also included.
Boris Stankovich and Martin Castrogiovanni are in the front row alongside hooker Tom Youngs.
Summer signing Adam Thompstone could make his Tigers debut after being included among the replacements.
Tickets for Saturday’s game between last season’s Aviva Premiership finalists are still available from the Tigers ticket office. Phone 0844 856 1880 or call in Welford Road (open until 5pm Friday and from 9am Saturday) to book. Or book online at www.leicestertigers.com
Leicester Tigers (v Harlequins, Welford Road, Saturday 5.30pm)
15 Scott Hamilton
14 Niall Morris
13 Matt Smith
12 Anthony Allen
11 Vereniki Goneva
10 Toby Flood
9 Sam Harrison
1 Boris Stankovich
2 Tom Youngs
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
4 Graham Kitchener
5 Geoff Parling
6 Steve Mafi
7 Julian Salvi
8 Jordan Crane (c)
Replacements
16 George Chuter
17 Dan Cole
18 Logovii Mulipola
19 Rob Andrew
20 Thomas Waldrom
21 Patrick Phibbs
22 George Ford
23 Adam Thompstone
Harlequins
15 Mike Brown
14 Tom Williams
13 Matt Hopper
12 Jordan Turner Hall
11 Ugo Monye
10 Nick Evans
9 Danny Care
1 Joe Marler
2 Joe Gray
3 James Johnston
4 Olly Kohn
5 George Robson
6 Maurie Fa'asavalu
7 Chris Robshaw (c)
8 Nick Easter
Replacements
16 Rob Buchanan
17 Darryl Marfo
18 Will Collier
19 Charlie Matthews
20 Tom Guest
21 Karl Dickson
22 Rory Clegg
23 Ross Chisholm
