The matchday squad for Round 5 of Premiership Women's Rugby, against Trailfinders Women at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, has been named.
Test stars Amy Cokayne, Claire Gallagher and Emily Henrich start in their returns to action for the club, while fellow internationals Eva Donaldson, Francesca McGhie and Tess Feury are included in the starting side after appearing off the bench a fortnight ago at home against Harlequins Women.
Charlotte Fray captains the team in the back-row and summer signing Abbey Constable is in line for her Leicester Tigers debut from the bench.
Speaking ahead of the game, Head Coach Tom Hudson said: "We always get excited ahead of home matches because there's simply nothing better than running out in front of cheering supporters."
"Our goals over these last two weeks is thriving under pressure: both how we acknowledge that pressure and how we deal with it in an effective manner. We know we have world class talent across this side and it's simply a case of bringing everything together. It will come."
Make sure to make the most of a revamped women's matchday and make The Obvious Choice with a 24/25 Women's Season Ticket - still the best value way to watch all regular season home games in Premiership Women's Rugby. CLICK HERE to secure yours today.
STARTING XV
15 Tess Feury [15]
14 Emily Henrich [1]
13 Evie Wills [5]
12 Katie Childs [35]
11 Francesca McGhie [16]
10 Claire Gallagher [9]
9 Amy Relf [41]
1 Leah Bartlett [17]
2 Amy Cokayne [5]
3 Sophie Benavent [2]
4 Julia Omokhuale [9]
5 Catha Jacobs [10]
6 Eva Donaldson [15]
7 Morgan Richardson [43]
8 Charlotte Fray [27] (c)
REPLACEMENTS
16 Nikki Simpson [4]
17 Abbey Constable *
18 Nadine Vincent [4]
19 Leah Heath [4]
20 Jordan Russell [5]
21 Jenny Maxwell [5]
22 Natasha Jones [40]
23 Elin Beaver [5]
* Denotes Leicester Tigers debut
Commentary
TIGERS DEFEATED BY TRAILFINDERS
A brave Tigers side go down fighting to Trailfinders Women, 17-36, at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
CON | TRAILFINDERS
Emma Taylor converts her second try and takes her personal tally to 16 for the match, while extending Trailfinders lead to 19 points, 17-36, with just over a minute left.
TRY | TRAILFINDERS
Trailfinders hit back almost immediately and, after working their way deep into the Tigers half, it's a second try for Emma Taylor.
TRY | FRANCESCA MCGHIE
A second try for Francesca McGhie, and third for Tigers, takes the home side to twelve points behind, 17-29, with just over five minutes remaining.
CON | TRAILFINDERS
Emma Taylor converts her own try to extend the lead to 17 points, 12-29, with just over 10 minutes remaining.
TRY | TRAILFINDERS
Trailfinders add a fifth after a dominant set piece sets up the chance and it's Emma Taylor who crosses from close range to extend the lead to 15 points.
TRY | TRAILFINDERS
Trailfinders add a fourth try, just a minute after their third, with a break down the left wing finished off by Caity Mattinson.
CON | TRAILFINDERS
Trailfinders extend the lead to five points, 12-17, on the hour mark with a successful conversion.
TRY | TRAILFINDERS WOMEN
Trailfinders, against the run of play, take back the lead after an intercept of a Tigers attack sets up the scoring chance for the visiting team.
55
TIGHT AFFAIR UNDER LIGHTS
As the sun sets in Leicester, under the lights at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, Tigers smash through Trailfinders at scrum time to win a penalty against the feed and with it a chance to extend the lead with possession deep in the visitor's half.
CON | CLAIRE GALLAGHER
A successful conversion from Claire Gallagher sees Tigers into the lead by two points, 12-10, with just over half an hour left at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
TRY | JULIA OMOKHUALE
Patience pays off for Tigers who, on the back of a dominant scrum deep in Trailfinders half, cross through Julia Omokhuale after a barnstorming run from the base of the ruck by the Leicester lock.
SECOND HALF GETS GOING
We are back underway at Mattioli Woods Welford Road for the second half of the PWR clash with Trailfinders Women!
TIGERS BEHIND AT THE BREAK
Tigers head into the changing rooms behind by five points at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
35
FIVE AND FIVE
Just five minutes left in the first half and just five points the difference between the sides at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
TRY | FRANCESCA MCGHIE
After preventing a try in her own half with a solo effort in cover defence, Francesca McGhie crosses for Leicester's first after chipping and chasing to score in the corner!
TRY | TRAILFINDERS
A mistake from Tigers at the lineout sees the ball turned over and a break from Rosie Inman sees the right wing weave her way around the cover defence and over for the visitor's second try of the match.
15
TIGERS FIGHTING IN DEFENCE
Trailfinders throwing everything at Tigers in attack and the home side continue to fight for one another in defence, refusing to give in.
10
CHANCE FOR TIGERS
Some impressive set piece work in the middle of the field forcing Trailfinders into infringements and piggybacking the home team up the field, deep into the visitor's half.
TRY | TRAILFINDERS
The visitors throw everything at Tigers in the opening minutes and, after being sent away twice with some brave tryline defence, Trailfinders break the line down the left in attack and cross through Chloe Rollie in the fourth minute.
KICK OFF
We're underway at Mattioli Woods Welford Road!