Forty years ago to the day, Leicester Tigers played Moseley RFC in the final of the 1979 John Player Cup – a cup that would play a huge part in the club’s domestic dominance in the years to come.
Read our flashback matchday preview to find out how Tigers shaped up on this day as well as the teams the club's beat to get to the cup final.
Leicester Tigers will be hoping to erase the memories of their 1978 John Player Cup final defeat to Gloucester Rugby, when they take on Moseley at rugby HQ (Saturday, April 21, 1979, 3.00pm)
Still in early years of its foundations, the John Player Cup sees Tigers first real chance of domestic cup silverware since the post-war years.
Tigers hooker Peter Wheeler will lead his side out at Twickenham for the first time knowing he could be the first player in the club’s history to lift the trophy.
Leicester beat local rivals Northampton Saints (29-3) progressing to see off Broughton Park (30-7) and Bedford (12-22) in the early rounds, before rolling over Wasps 43-7 in the semi-final with six separate Tigers getting on the scoresheet.
Tigers also came out on top in the match between Moseley in the Midland Merit Table back in November (1978) beating Moseley 15-10 thanks to two tries from Tim Barnwell and kicks from Les Cusworth.
Tigers head coach Chalkie Wight has gone for the same fifteen as that semi-final victory for today’s John Play Cup final.
Props Robin Cowling and Steve Redfern fit either side of British and Irish Lion Wheeler in the front row with the reliable partnership of Nick Joyce and Arthur Hazlerigg in behind. Steve Johnson, Garry Adey and Ian ‘Dosser’ Smith make up the back row in the Tigers pack.
Steve Kenney and former Moseley player Les Cusworth take up the half-back positions for Leicester with England international Paul Dodge and double semi-final try scorer Mick Newton completing the midfield.
Tim’s Burwell and Barnwell offer the width on the wings with the club’s record points scorer ‘Dusty’ Hare providing the cover at full-back.
Today’s opposition overcame the challenges of Liverpool (22-13), London Irish (0-10), Richmond (27-3) and Gosforth (3-6) to earn their place in the final.
Referee for the fixture is Alan Welsby of the Manchester/Lancashire Referees Society.
Keep an eye on the Tigers website for a full match report and video highlights from the game at 4.00pm today.
