Preview: Leicester v Saracens
Graham Kitchener makes his first start for Leicester Tigers in Saturday's Premiership clash against Saracens at Welford Road.
Graham Kitchener makes his first start for Leicester Tigers in Saturday's Aviva Premiership clash against Saracens at Welford Road.
England Saxons lock Kitchener, a summer arrival from Worcester Warriors, replaces George Skivington in the second row, and director of rugby Richard Cockerill makes two futher changes to the forward pack following the win at Newcastle Falcons.
Thomas Waldrom is in New Zealand as precautionary cover for England's World Cup squad, resulting in a recall for Ben Woods at openside, and on-loan prop Michael Holford starts in the front row.
Matt Smith returns on the wing in the only change to the backline.
Mathew Tait is in line for his first appearance for the club from the replacements' bench after his recovery from injury.
Skivington, Julian White and Kieran Brookes were all injured in the win at Newcastle last Saturday and join Craig Newby, Jordan Crane and Geoff Parling on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, Saracens hooker Schalk Brits misses the game after taking a heavy knock last weekend. Jamie George comes in to start with Harry Allen on the bench.
Will Fraser and Jackson Wray both start in the back row with Justin Melck ruled out with a calf injury while Andy Saull is named on the bench.
The only other change to the starting XV sees Owen Farrell start at centre alongside Brad Barritt with Adam Powell among the replacements. George Kruis also returns to the bench in place of Hugh Vyvyan.
Form: Leicester Tigers narrowly overcame Newcastle in Aviva Premiership Rugby at Kingston Park on Saturday to end their unwanted three game losing run. Tigers tripped up to Exeter in their most recent home game but have not lost back to back Premiership matches at Welford Road since October 2003. Saracens only defeat in their last 16 matches in all competitions was 15-20 to Wasps at Twickenham on 3 September. Another Saracens win would tie the all-time Premiership record for successive away victories, currently held by Leicester with eight set over the Millennium period. Last season Saracens won all three encounters with the Tigers – the first side to beat Leicester three times in the same season since Moseley did so in 1976/77.
The teams:
Leicester Tigers: 15 Scott Hamilton, 14 Matt Smith, 13 Billy Twelvetrees, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Niall Morris, 10 George Ford, 9 James Grindal, 8 Julian Salvi, 7 Ben Woods, 6 Steve Mafi, 5 Graham Kitchener, 4 Ed Slater, 3 Michael Holford, 2 George Chuter (c), 1 Boris Stankovich.
Replacements: 16 Rob Hawkins, 17 Jonny Harris, 18 Peter Bucknall, 19 Tom Youngs, 20 Tom Armes, 21 Mickey Young, 22 Jeremy Staunton, 23 Mathew Tait.
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 David Strettle, 13 Brad Barritt, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Joe Maddock, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Will Fraser, 6 Jackson Wray, 5 Mouritz Botha, 4 Steve Borthwick (c), 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Jamie George, 1 Rhys Gill.
Replacements: 16 Harry Allen, 17 Deon Carstens, 18 Mako Vunipola, 19 George Kruis, 20 Andy Saull, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Adam Powell, 23 James Short.
Date: Saturday, September 24
Venue: Welford Road
Kick-off: 14:30 BST (13.30 GMT)
Referee: Greg Garner