Preview: Leicester v Leeds
Harry Ellis and Alesana Tuilagi return from long-term injury to take their places in the Leicester Tigers line-up for Saturday's Guinness Premiership match against Leeds at Welford Road.
Harry Ellis and Alesana Tuilagi return from long-term injury to take their places in the Leicester Tigers line-up for Saturday's Guinness Premiership match against Leeds at Welford Road.
Julian White returns from suspension and head coach Marcelo Loffreda includes Geordan Murphy and Tom Croft after international duty.
Scrum-half Ellis has not played a first team game since injuring a knee against Bristol last April, while Tuilagi has made only three appearances since last year's Rugby World Cup due to a groin problem.
Loffreda, who hands the captaincy to Louis Deacon after naming Martin Corry on the bench, said he was delighted to have Ellis and Tuilagi back.
“We have had to be patient with Harry and Alesana, they are not the type of injuries to rush. But we are delighted to have them back and add to the options in the squad,” said Loffreda.
“They are both world-class players.
“Martin Corry has had a heavy physical load recently and Louis Deacon has always done a great job whenever he has been named captain.”
Ian Humphreys gets the nod at fly-half alongside Frank Murphy, while Dan Hipkiss partners Ollie Smith in the midfield. Winger Tom Varndell joins Johne Murphy and Geordan Murphy in the back three.
White is joined in the front row by Boris Stankovich and Mefin Davies, with Louis Deacon and Croft completing the front five. Brett Deacon, Ben Herring and Jordan Crane complete the forward pack.
Corry is among a strong selection on the bench which includes Martin Castrogiovanni as well as Ellis and Tuilagi.
“We know Leeds have improved a lot since we played them last and we expect a very tough game on Saturday,” said Loffreda.
“They have a very good defence and they will be a tough challenge for us.”
Meanwhile, former Leicester star Adam Balding will return to action for Leeds as his new team-mates prepare for their trip to his former club.
Balding this week extended his loan deal at Headingley Carnegie until the end of the season and is one of seven changes made to the starting line-up.
Only one of those is in the backline with Alberto Di Bernardo returning to replace James Brooks at fly-half.
Rob Rawlinson replaces Vili Ma'asi at hooker alongside Fosi Pala'amo, who is back after being away on compassionate leave – he replaces Tommy McGee who has a rib injury.
Pablo Bouza joins Erik Lund in the second row which means that Kearnan Myall reverts to flanker in place of Jon Dunbar, who picked up a knock at the weekend.
Hendre Fourie will start for only the second time since joining Leeds in place of Calum Clark, whilst Balding replaces Rhys Oakley at the base of the scrum.
Clark and Oakley have both been suffering from a knee injury and groin strain respectively, while Richard Welding and Tom Biggs are still unavailable in the back line through injury.
Form: Leicester Tigers have lost successive matches in the Guinness Premiership but have not lost three in a row in the competition since season 2003/04. Leeds have gained just one league point from their last eight games in the Guinness Premiership: losing 24-26 at London Irish on 27 January. Leeds have lost their last 13 away matches in the Premiership since beating Bath 16-12 at the Rec in November 2005. The Tigers have won five of their last six encounters with Leeds, whilst Leeds have visited Welford Road on six previous occasions in all competitions and lost them all.
Leicester Tigers: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Tom Varndell, 13 Dan Hipkiss, 12 Ollie Smith, 11 Johne Murphy, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Frank Murphy, 8 Jordan Crane, 7 Ben Herring, 6 Brett Deacon, 5 Tom Croft, 4 Louis Deacon (c), 3 Julian White, 2 Mefin Davies, 1 Boris Stankovich
Replacements: 16 Benjamin Kayser, 17 Martin Castrogiovanni, 18 Martin Corry, 19 Ben Pienaar, 20 Harry Ellis, 21 Andy Goode, 22 Alesana Tuilagi
Leeds: 15 Leigh Hinton, 14 John Holtby, 13 Jonny Hepworth, 12 Andy Tuilagi, 11 Apo Satala, 10 Alberto Di Bernardo, 9 Joe Bedford (c), 8 Adam Balding, 7 Hendre Fourie, 6 Kearnan Myall, 5 Pablo Bouza, 4 Erik Lund, 3 Fosi Pala'amo, 2 Rob Rawlinson, 1 Mike MacDonald
Replacements: 16 Adam Hopcroft, 17 Vili Ma'asi, 18 Danny Paul, 19 Mark Lock, 20 James Brooks, 21 Lee Blackett, 22 Rob Vickerman
Date: Saturday, March 1
Venue: Welford Road
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Referee: Ashley Rowden
Touch judges: Peter Huckle, Andy Watson
Assessor: Brian Leigh
Television match official: Matt Peters