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Match report | Chiefs triumph at Welford Road

Top-of-the-table Exeter Chiefs recorded a 52-20 victory over Leicester Tigers who lost skipper Tom Youngs to a second-half red card at Welford Road on Saturday.

The Chiefs ran in seven tries in the Gallagher Premiership Round 18 contest which said everything for their efficiency in possession but did not do total justice to the effort of the home side.

Scores from Matt Kvesic and Jack Yeandle gave the visitors a 14-3 lead before Jonny May dotted down for Tigers. But Olly Woodburn and Henry Slade dotted down to claim the bonus point score with just half an hour played.

The opening period ended with Tigers playing from their own line and, inspired by George Ford and boosted by the crowd noise, scoring through Tom Youngs as they trimmed the gap to 20-28 at the break.

But 10 points for the visitors when they had a man in the sin bin early in the second half dragged momentum back and they added further scores and then saw Tigers down to 14 men as skipper Youngs was red-carded for contact with the neck area of an opponent at a ruck.

Tigers lined up with Matt Toomua at full-back and Jordan Olowofela moving to the wing, while Brendon O’Connor ran out for his 50th Premiership appearance in a re-shaped back row alongside Mike Fitzgerald and Mike Williams. Valentino Mapapalangi came into the squad for the first time since the European Cup match against Scarlets in January.

Chiefs were already without second-rowers Jonny Hill, Mitch Lees and Sam Skinner due to knocks and then lost Australia international Dave Dennis with a calf injury ahead of kick-off, with Sean Lonsdale promoted from the bench.

Tigers, going into the Round 18 fixture in 10th place in the table, got the game under way and it was a ferocious opening period too, on and off the ball, with tackles flying in from both sides in the middle third of the field.

But Chiefs claimed a breakthrough score with their first real series of phases in Tigers territory, providing some space on the left where Kvesic forced his way over for his seventh Premiership try of the season. Joe Simmonds judged his conversion kick well to turn it into a seven-point score.

Tigers, with the crowd providing their encouragement, almost found a way through determined defence when Toomua pushed the all out to Olowofela on the wing but he was brought down just five metres out. The forwards retained possession, making their carries and clears, until Chiefs were penalised in front of the posts and Ford knocked over the penalty.

Chiefs were handed a penalty from the restart when the Tigers defence was caught offside and Simmonds played into the corner. But, after making the lineout catch, Don Armand spilled ball under pressure and the crowd rose as if a try had been scored by the home team when Sam Harrison hammered it clear.

The whistle went again, though, for another offside, and despite being repelled close to the posts, they kept their patience in possession until hooker Yeandle was able to push his way through a tackle and drop over the line. Simmonds kicked the conversion to make it 14-3.

Tigers, whose confidence has been noted for its fragility in recent weeks, came straight back at their top-of-the-table visitors with Ford showing superb footwork to beat the defensive line and then break clear. He was tackled almost within reach of the line but, playing with penalty advantage, Tigers sprayed the ball wide with Toomua picking out May to score in the right-hand corner.

The referee awarded the score then spoke to Kvesic and Manu Tuilagi as emotions ran high in the corner. Ford had to wait to make his conversion kick but judged it to perfection from the touchline as he brought it back to 10-14 on 26 minutes.

The game restarted, though, with a penalty to Exeter for the ‘afters’ in the celebrations and they made the most of the opportunity with a kick down the right and from the lineout, the played on first phase to the opposite corner and Woodburn dived in to score.

Simmonds added his third conversion and even better followed for the visitors as Jack Nowell picked off loose ball in midfield and then the Chiefs released bodies on the left wing. Armand’s offload found Woodburn and he passed inside for Slade who ran in to score on his 100th Premiership appearance and provide a bonus point.

Fly-half Simmonds added the kick to make it 10-28 but Tigers fly-half Ford provided the impetus for the next attack by the home side as Olowofela went through, but Chiefs quickly found themselves down to 14 men when Nowell was yellow-carded for slapping the ball out of Tigers hands at the breakdown.

Ford kicked the three-pointer but then had O’Connor penalised for handling the ball at a ruck 30 metres out. Chiefs turned down a kick at goal to play into the left-hand corner but were met with stubborn resistance and they wrapped up ball.

The half ended with Tigers showing plenty of ambition on the ball, with Ford instigating a length-of-the-field attack using ball in hand through forwards and backs which was only halted by the referee’s whistle for a penalty.

Ford punched the penalty into the left-and corner with the crowd adding their vocal support and the volume increased when they had a second try to cheer moments later.

Toomua’s crosskick found May and, though he was stopped just inches out, Tigers kept ball and Youngs, with his pack ganging up around him, managed to squeeze his way over. Ford managed to re-gather his thoughts to provide the conversion as the crowd stood to applaud the spirit of their team.

Eastmond limped off, with Sam Aspland-Robinson coming into the backline, allowing Toomua to move forward to centre alongside Tuilagi.

But Chiefs started the second half with a penalty from Simmonds after Olowofela had claimed the kick-off but weas then penalised as he tried to recycle.

And just as Tigers needed to throw some shots at the start of the second period, Chiefs ran in a fifth score, made by Slade with a lightning break through the middle before feeding Ollie Devoto to score. Simmonds kicked the extras to make it 20-38.

Tigers were fuming when the whistle went against them at a ruck near halfway and their mood was not improved when Chiefs full-back Cordero wriggled his way to the line for a sixth try on 53 minutes. Simmonds maintained his perfect record from the tee wioth the conversion for a 20-45 lead.

Tigers were next on the scoresheet, or so they thought, as Toomua finished in the right-hand corner after strong work from the forwards.

But referee Thomas Foley was called back to view the replays of the build-up, where Chiefs lock Ollie Adkins had been hurt at a breakdown after contact from Youngs. The review ended with a red card for contact with the neck and Tigers were left having to regroup with 14 men.

When Kvesic won a breakdown penalty moments later, Exeter went to the right-hand corner but Dan Cole held up their push for the line as he fought for the ball and the game reward was a scrum which brought a penalty and relief for the undermanned defence.

But in chasing the game, Tigers conceded a seventh try when Toomua’s pass on the Chiefs 22 was picked off by Nowell and he stayed clear to score and take his side to the half-century mark. Simmonds kicked the conversion to make it 20-52..

The home crowd stuck with their team as play opened up all over the field and, to their credit, Tigers continued to press for opportunities while having to cover space in defence, with Tuilagi making a timely hit on Simmonds as the Chiefs broke out on the left.

A brilliant break out of defence from Ford’s chip got the crowd going again as Gareth Owen led the charge, but Olowofela was caught by Nowell as May screamed for the ball on the left touchline.

 

Match Details

HT ScoreHalf Time Score

LEI 20-28 EXE

FT ScoreFull Time Score

LEI 20-52 EXE

Attendance

21,503

Referee

Tom Foley

Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
20

Full Time

Exeter Chiefs
Exeter Chiefs
52
Leicester Tigers
P
T
C
P
T
C
KOHTFT
Exeter Chiefs
T
C
T
C
T
C
T
C
P
T
C
T
C
T
C

Match Stats

Leicester Tigers
Exeter Chiefs
Possession
55%
45%
Territory
55%
45%
Penalties Conceded
11
12
Yellow Cards
0
1
Red Cards
1
0
Tackles Won
142/188 76%
152/186 82%
Scrums Won
7/7 100%
2/2 100%
Lineouts Won
13/13 100%
10/11 91%

Player Stats

Leicester Tigers
Exeter Chiefs
Leicester Tigers
TCDP
15Matt Toomua
14Jonny May1T
13Manu Tuilagi
12Kyle Eastmond
11Jordan Olowofela
10George Ford2C2P
9Sam Harrison
1Ellis Genge
2Tom Youngs1T
3Dan Cole
4Will Spencer
5Graham Kitchener
6Michael Fitzgerald
7Mike Williams
8Brendon O'Connor
16Jake Kerr
17Facundo Gigena
18Joe Heyes
19Valentino Mapapalangi
20Guy Thompson
21Ben White
22
23Sam Aspland-Robinson

Commentary

80

PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER

The Breedon Terrace is still pretty much full as supporters show their appreciation for both sides. The #TigersFamily is very much alive and kicking - thank you all for your support.

80

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

A massive thank you to the more than 21,000 supporters who joined us at Welford Road this afternoon, and to those of you following along at home or wherever you are.

Join us again for the all-important Round 19 clash with Newcastle Falcons next Friday, April 12 (7.45pm) where your support will be key.

FULL TIME | 20-52

Tigers come up short in the second half after a frantic first 40, and the Premiership table-toppers take the win.

79

KNOCK ON FROM EXETER

Exeter - possibly through back row Don Armand - knock on, and we'll have a scrum to close out this match.

78

WHEELS FROM JAKEY!

A glimmer of something in these final few minutes as replacement hooker Jake Kerr charges more than 60 metres down the field after a kick to Exeter fullback Cordero, who he tackles. Great work from the Scotland international.

76

A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING

The structure of this game is all but gone, now. Tigers take a quick lineout but get brought back for Tom Foley to check that it is, in fact, Leicester ball, before a Joe Heyes knock on gifts Exeter a scrum. Santiago Cordero made a tasty-looking break in all that, too.

TINO ONTO THE FIELD

Valentino Mapapalangi returns from injury as he replaces Mike Fitzgerald in the Tigers back row.

72

TIGERS MAKE THE BREAK

The crowd thought Leicester were in, then. Tigers break from one end of the pitch to the other, but Jordan Olowofela is hauled down without support.

CHANGE OF PROPS

Facundo Gigena and Joe Heyes are both on the field in place of Ellis Genge and Dan Cole.

71

TRY-SAVER FROM MANU

Exeter pull the trigger after an Ellis Genge knock on, but it's the big man Manu Tuilagi who saves the day with an important tackle into touch in the corner.

69

ARROWS FROM JAKE

Straight as an arrow at the lineout from Jake Kerr, and Tigers have the ball just outside the Chiefs 22. Will Spencer puts in a particularly crunching carry.

CHANGE IN THE BACKS

Gareth Owen replaces Matt Toomua as head coach Geordan Murphy shuffles his backline.

68

LET OFF THE HOOK

...but Exeter come away with the ball, and kick behind Jordan Olowofela on this near touchline. Olly Woodburn collects, dots down, but we are brought back for a knock-on just inside the home team's half.

67

PENALTY AT SCRUM TIME

The Tigers pack win another penalty at scrum time, and George Ford sends the ball into touch inside the Chiefs 22.

CHIEFS REPLACEMENTS

Ian Whitten and Richard Capstick are both on for the visitors, in place of Henry Slade and Dave Ewers.

66

MESSY AT RUCK TIME

Tom Foley seems to be allowing a contest at ruck time, but it's getting messier and messier for both teams. Dan Cole looks furious as he is penalised for kicking through the ruck.

64

WHITE DICTATING PACE

Tigers win a penalty, and Ben White looks to take advantage of a sluggish Exeter line with a quick tap and then a dink through for Jonny May, but the ball just dribbles dead. Exeter will restart from the 22.

CHIEFS CHANGE

And Exeter make a change at scrum-half, with Jack Maunder on for Nic White.

THOMPSON JOINS THE FRAY

Guy Thompson is onto the field in place of Mike Williams in the Tigers 22.

EXTRAS ADDED

Joe Simmonds adds two more and Exeter lead 20-50 with an hour played.

EXETER OVER

Completely against the run of play with Tigers deep in Exeter territory, Jack Nowell intercepts a loose pass and gallops in for another Chiefs score.

KERR ON AT SCRUM TIME

Jake Kerr is needed for the scrum, so replaces Sam Aspland-Robinson.

...and the Scotland international wins a penalty with his first action of the game!

58

TIGERS WIN BALL BACK

Exeter work their way into Tiger territory from the penalty restart, but the home side stand firm and win a scrum.

CHIEFS REPLACEMENT

Toby Salmon replaces Ollie Atkins for Exeter.

RED CARD FOR TIGERS

Tigers think they've scored, but TMO Geoff Warren brings us back to look at a clear out from Tom Youngs. After much deiberation, captain Tom Youngs is shown a red card.

CHIEFS REPLACEMENT

Sam Hill is on for Ollie Devoto in the Exeter midfield.

53

PENALTY ADVANTAGE

A high tackle in midfield gives Tigers a penalty advantage, which Sam Aspland-Robinson looks to use down the left wing. The Chiefs slow the ball, though, and so we come back for the mark. Ford kicks to touch.

CHANGE AT SCRUM-HALF

Ben White is on for Tigers, replacing Sam Harrison.

BETWEEN THE STICKS

Another successful kick for Joe Simmonds, and Exeter lead 20-45.

CORDERO CROSSES

Exeter come away with the ball from the lineout, and it's Cordero who shimmies, spins and scores.

50

THE LOCALS ARE RESTLESS

Jeers from the Breedon Terrace as Tom Foley penalises Tigers for side entry at a messy-looking ruck after some strong play from Leicester. Exeter kick to just outside the home 22.

CHIEFS CHANGE FRONT ROW

The visitors have changed their entire front row, with Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ben Moon and Tomas Francis all onto the field.

46

KICK TENNIS

Ford looks to slow the pace of this second half, which has started at a frantic rate. His kick is claimed by Santiago Cordero after a bounce, and Brendon O'Connor fields his kick well.

SIMMONDS CONVERTS

Simmonds' conversion is good, and Exeter lead 20-38.

DEVOTO DOTS DOWN

A Tigers tackle on halfway opens up a gap for Slade to cut through the home defence, and Devoto finishes off the play with a score.

EARLY EXETER PENALTY

Exeter strike first in this second half, as Tigers are pinged just beyond their 22. Simmonds kicks the three.

TIGERS REPLACEMENT

A change made just before the break has been made permanent, with Sam Aspland-Robinson on for Kyle Eastmond.

SECOND HALF KICKS OFF

Joe Simmonds boots the ball towards The Robin Hood Stand to get the second half underway at Welford Road.

HALF TIME | 20-28

What. A. Game. Just eight points in it at the break.

AND TWO MORE

George Ford kicks the conversion with the final play of a frantic first half.

THE SKIPPER SCORES!

Exeter sack the lineout, and Tigers get the ball out wide under advantage where Jonny May is just short. The ball works its way back to Tom Youngs, though and the skipper crosses the whitewash!

40

FANTASTIC FROM TIGERS

Brilliant phases from the home side as they push on from their own tryline all the way into opposition 22 through Manu Tuilagi, Jordan Olowofela and more. Welford Road is rocking!

38

TIMELY INTERVENTION

Strong defence from Tigers, with their backs to the wall in the far corner. They win a timely scrum on the five-metre line with just a  couple of minutes left in this first half.

PENALTY GOAL FOR TIGERS

Ford takes the three from in front of the posts as Nowell is shown a  yellow card.

YELLOW CARD FOR NOWELL

Jordan Olowofela looks to get Leicester back into this game with another break through Exeter's soft underbelly, but a cynical infringement from Jack Nowell at the ruck stops the score and he is shown a yellow card.

SIMMONDS ADDS THE EXTRAS

Two more points from Simmonds boot and Exeter lead 10-28 at Welford Road.

SLADE SCYTHES THROUGH

Tigers put up a good competition at the scrum, but Chiefs somehow come away with the ball. They work it downfield despite some stern Tigers defence, and it's Slade who crosses for the score.

CONVERSION GOOD

Joe Simmonds converts the try, and Exeter lead 10-21.

CHIEFS HIT BACK

Exeter have the penalty restart, and take the ball off the top of the lineout quickly for Olly Woodburn to score in the left hand corner.

TWO MORE FROM GEORGE

After a brief check of a post-try scuffle, Ford makes no mistake with his touchline conversion to take the score to 10-14.

JONNY MAY SCORES!

George Ford makes a lovely break straight through the heart of the Exeter defence but is held just short. With penalty advantage, Toomua whips the ball out to Jonny May in the corner to score.

TWO MORE FROM SIMMONDS

Fly-half Simmonds adds the extras and Chiefs lead 3-14.

YEANDLE CRASHES OVER

Exeter are soon back in Tigers territory, and captain Jack Yeandle crashes over for their second try.

18

STOLEN BALL!

Exeter looked to make the advantage count from the kick-off, but Tigers steal the ball from the maul and Ford boots the ball downfield once more to a roar from the home crowd.

FORD ADDS THREE

George Ford gets Tigers back in the game with three points from in front of the posts to make it 3-7 with 16 minutes gone.

15

ADVANTAGE ON THE LINE

Matt Toomua gets the ball out to Jordan Olowofela on the left wing with a fantastic, looping pass and he's unfortunate to be taken out by two Exeter players just metres from the line. The ball is recycled, but the Chiefs keep a hold of the man on the floor and are penalised.

George Ford lines up his first kick of the afternoon...

12

LEICESTER BACK IN THE GAME

Jonny May almost single-handedly gets Tigers back into the game immediately with a break down the middle. The home side keep hold of the ball, and Ford dinks it through for a lineout deep into Exeter territory.

SIMMONDS CONVERTS

Joe Simmonds adds the extras and the visitors lead 0-7.

KVESIC SCORES FOR EXETER

Exeter have the first score after testing the Tigers line through their forwards before Matt Kvesic breaks through on the left hand side to dot down.

6

TIGERS BREAK DOWN THE WING

Quick hands from Ford and then Kyle Eastmond see the ball out to Brendon O'Connor in acres of space on the wing. Jack Nowell has enough pace to catch him, though, before Graham Kitchener is pinged for holding on. Promising stuff from Tigers.

4

ONE OUT RUNNERS

Tigers win the lineout, and George Ford kicks good territory downfield. Exeter flex their muscles through their one-out-runner game, but Tigers hold strong over halfway before Tom Youngs wins a crucial penalty on the floor.

2

QUICK START

Both teams feeling each other out in the first couple of minutes before Olly Woodburn pulls the trigger and breaks down the far touchline. He's dragged into touch, though, and Tigers have a lineout inside their own 22.

KICK OFF AT WELFORD ROAD

George Ford gets us underway in this Round 18 Gallagher Premiership match. Come on Tigers!

0

TEAMS ARE OUT

Tom Youngs leads Tigers out onto the Welford Road pitch. Hear the ROAR!

0

WARM UPS DONE

Thunderous applause from Welford Road as Tigers head back up the tunnel after their final preparations. Kick off is just over five minutes away...

0

WEATHER UPDATE

The Welford Road pitch looks to be in excellent condition this afternoon, with no rain forecast for the match. There’s a light breeze across the pitch into the Breedon Stand, and the temperature is currently 11C. Perfect.

0

CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS

Matt Toomua and Mike Fitzgerald return to the starting XV for Round 18, while Valentino Mapapalangi is in line for his first appearance since the European Cup tie with Scarlets in January after being named on the bench.

Exeter retain 13 of the players that took on Bath last time out at Sandy Park, but draft both Sean Lonsdale and Ollie Atkins into the starting second row.

Lonsdale is the only change from the previously announced teams, coming in for Australian international Dave Dennis. Toby Salmon takes the 19 shirt on the bench.

Get up to speed with full team news here (or scroll down on this page).

0

DAN COLE’S LTTV PREVIEW

Tigers tighthead Dan Cole says today’s game is the ‘test’ that the squad need ahead of a tough league run-in.

Watch him discuss the mood at Oval Park, the addition of Mike Ford to the coaching team, and take a look ahead at this afternoon’s crunch-match exclusively on the Tigers website.

0

BIG MATCH PREVIEW

Ten members of England’s Six Nations squad will go head to head this afternoon when Tigers take on a high-flying Exeter side who have already booked their place in the league’s top four.

Read our big match preview here (or scroll down on this page).

0

WELCOME TO MATCHDAY LIVE!

Good afternoon and welcome to Welford Road for Tigers’ Gallagher Premiership clash with top-of-the-table Exeter Chiefs.

Don’t forget that if you’re not able to join us at the ground, you can follow all of the action LIVE, right here with Matchday Live.


Opposition Lineup

Starting XV

15
Santiago Cordero
14
Jack Nowell
13
Henry Slade
12
Ollie Devoto
11
Olly Woodburn
10
Joe Simmonds
9
Nic White
1
Alec Hepburn
2
Jack Yeandle
3
Harry Williams
4
Sean Lonsdale
5
6
Dave Ewers
7
Don Armand
8
Matt Kvesic

Replacements

16
Luke Cowan-Dickie
17
Ben Moon
18
Tomas Francis
19
20
Richard Capstick
21
Jack Maunder
22
Sam Hill
23
Ian Whitten

Big-match preview | Tigers versus Chiefs

Tom Youngs keeps an eye on the Exeter pack during the 2018 meeting at Welford Road
Tom Youngs keeps an eye on the Exeter pack during the 2018 meeting at Welford Road

Ten members of England’s Six Nations squad will go head to head as Leicester Tigers host top-of-the-table Exeter Chiefs at Welford Road on Saturday (4.30pm).

There are international match-ups all over the field with Ellis Genge, Dan Cole, Harry Williams, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Ben Moon among the respective squads up front and then Jonny May, Manu Tuilagi and George Ford facing England colleagues Jack Nowell and Henry Slade in the backline.

In other team news announced on Friday, Matt Toomua and Mike Fitzgerald return to the Tigers line-up while Valentino Mapapalangi comes into the squad for the first time since the European Cup match against Scarlets in January.

Chiefs, following victory over Bath in Round 17 which confirmed their place in the semi-final stages of the Gallagher Premiership season, are without second-rowers Jonny Hill, Mitch Lees and Sam Skinner due to knocks, so Ollie Atkins comes in alongside Sean Lonsdale.

Lonsdale was a late change for Dave Dennis, originally named in the XV, with his bench spot taken by Toby Salmon.

On the bench, England international prop Moon returns to first-team duty after a shoulder injury.

Tigers go into Round 18 in 10th place in the table, five points above bottom-of-the-table Newcastle Falcons.

Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “Most people will look at the quality of the squad they have got and just go ‘When is it all going to click?’

“At the same time, you also have to appreciate Leicester are a team who can come out fighting. It is very rare you see them stay down for very long. There have been plenty of times in the past where they’ve had international players missing, they’ve not done so well for a period, then all of a sudden you will see them go from fourth bottom to winning Premiership titles.

“They have done that plenty of times, so that is something we have to be aware of. At the same time, we don’t want to get so focused on them that we forget what we aim to do.

“From our perspective, we have to talk very positively about what we want to achieve in this game, then go there and attack it, and see what we get out of it.”

Chiefs have already guaranteed a semi-final spot with five games remaining, but Baxter has told his squad they must continue to build momentum for the finale to the campaign.

“In reality the season is already in our hands,” he said. “We can now decide how good we want to be over these next five weeks. After that, we can decide how good we want to be in a semi-final and if we decide that, we than have the opportunity to decide how good we want to be in a final.”

Overall the clubs have met on 58 previous occasions with Leicester winning 37 to 17 by the Chiefs and four games drawn.

Match referee for Saturday is Thomas Foley, in charge for the 63rd time in Premiership rugby.

Kick-off on Saturday is at 4.30pm and tickets are still available. Book in person at Welford Road, phone 0116 319 8888 (open from 9.00am on matchday) or book online any time.

To find out what’s in store on and off the field, see the full Matchday Guide by clicking here.

If you are not attending the game, you can keep up to date with all of the action using the Tigers Matchday Live service on the club website, mobile website and official app. Or follow the club’s social media pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Team news | Tigers versus Chiefs this Saturday

Figure image

Matt Toomua and Mike Fitzgerald return to the Leicester Tigers team for the home game against Exeter Chiefs in Round 18 of the Gallagher Premiership season this Saturday (4.30pm).    

Australia international Toomua lines up at full-back, with Jordan Olowofela moving to the wing in the only changes to the backline this week.

With Tonga international Sione Kalamafoni suspended, Fitzgerald joins Mike Williams in a reshuffled back row where Brendon O’Connor starts at No8 in his 50th appearance in Premiership rugby.

Valentino Mapapalangi comes on to the bench and is in line for his first appearance since the European Cup tie with Scarlets in January.

England international scrum-half Ben Youngs is ruled out by a shoulder injury suffered at the end of the Six Nations and Jonah Holmes is sidelined by a knee injury.

Tigers head coach Geordan Murphy said: “Exeter are obviously a very strong side, they hang on to the ball very well and we will have to work hard and get it right on both sides of the ball."

"The changes in the side are only minor from our last outing and both add a bit of a different dimension to the side, Matt [Toomua] has trained in the position for a few weeks now and is a very talented player, who adds another dimension to the side in the fullback spot for us.

"Mike [Fitzgerald] has been very impressive for us off the bench this year and deserves the chance, while we're very fortunate to have the impact of Guy Thompson off the bench."

Tickets for Saturday are still available at the Tigers ticket office. Book in person, by phone on 0116 319 8888 (option 2) or online at www.leicestertigers.com

Leicester Tigers (v Exeter Chiefs, Welford Road, Saturday 4.30pm)

15 Matt Toomua        

14 Jonny May

13 Manu Tuilagi         

12 Kyle Eastmond     

11 Jordan Olowofela

10 George Ford         

9 Sam Harrison

1 Ellis Genge  

2 Tom Youngs (c)      

3 Dan Cole     

4 Will Spencer

5 Graham Kitchener

6 Mike Fitzgerald

7 Mike Williams

8 Brendon O’Connor

Replacements

16 Jake Kerr  

17 Facundo Gigena   

18 Joe Heyes

19 Valentino Mapapalangi

20 Guy Thompson

21 Ben White

22 Gareth Owen

23 Sam Aspland-Robinson

Exeter Chiefs: 15 Santiago Cordero, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 Joe Simmons, 9 Nic White; 1 Alec Hepburn, 2 Jack Yeandle (c), 3 Harry Williams, 4 Sean Lonsdale, 5 Ollie Atkins, 6 Dave Ewers, 7 Don Armand, 8 Matt Kvesic

Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Toby Salmon, 20 Richard Capstick, 21 Jack Maunder, 22 Sam Hill, 23 Ian Whitten

posteamteam namepldwdlfadifftftatblbpts
1
Exeter Chiefs
Exeter ChiefsEXE221705630438192895114486
11
Leicester Tigers
Leicester TigersLEI227015478632-15447815841
Form Guide
Form
LLWLD
Last Match
Draw with Harlequins 34-34
Past Meeting
Won 17-14
Form
Last Match
Past Meeting
Form
WLLLL
Last Match
Lost to Sale Sharks 10-28
Past Meeting
Lost 14-17

Matchday Live

Leicester Tigers20
Leicester Tigers
Exeter Chiefs52
Exeter Chiefs
Full Time