James Slipper admits it will be weird playing against Digby Ioane when the Queensland Reds host the Crusaders on Saturday night.

Former Reds fan-favourite Ioane is set to play his first Super Rugby match for the Crusaders at his old home ground, Suncorp Stadium.

The 31-year-old lit up the Brisbane Global Rugby Tens last month, scoring a try with his very first touch of the ball, but picked up a hip injury at the tournament that kept him out of the first two games of the season.