Geordan Murphy will lead out Leicester Tigers for the Guinness Premiership Final at Twickenham on Saturday.
The Ireland international full-back has been confirmed as captain as Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill makes just one change to the starting line-up following last weekend’s victory over Bath Rugby in the semi-finals.
Prop Martin Castrogiovanni is ruled out and is replaced in the front row by England international Julian White.
Louis Deacon returns from injury to claim a place among the replacements and prop Dan Cole steps up into the matchday 22.
“The guys have come through some intense games recently in very good shape and we have kept changes to a minimum,” said Cockerill.
“We started very well against Bath last Saturday, probably as well as we have started any game this season, and we deserved to win in the end.
“You have to keep improving week to week but Irish are a good side and, now we are into a final, we know we have to show our best form.”
Leicester Tigers (v London Irish, Guinness Premiership Final, Twickenham, Saturday, 5.30pm)
15 Geordan Murphy (captain)
14 Scott Hamilton
13 Ayoola Erinle
12 Danny Hipkiss
11 Johne Murphy
10 Sam Vesty
9 Julien Dupuy
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 George Chuter
3 Julian White
4 Tom Croft
5 Ben Kay
6 Craig Newby
7 Ben Woods
8 Jordan Crane
Replacements
16 Benjamin Kayser
17 Dan Cole
18 Louis Deacon
19 Lewis Moody
20 Harry Ellis
21 Matt Smith
22 Tom Varndell
The Ireland international full-back has been confirmed as captain as Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill makes just one change to the starting line-up following last weekend’s victory over Bath Rugby in the semi-finals.
Prop Martin Castrogiovanni is ruled out and is replaced in the front row by England international Julian White.
Louis Deacon returns from injury to claim a place among the replacements and prop Dan Cole steps up into the matchday 22.
“The guys have come through some intense games recently in very good shape and we have kept changes to a minimum,” said Cockerill.
“We started very well against Bath last Saturday, probably as well as we have started any game this season, and we deserved to win in the end.
“You have to keep improving week to week but Irish are a good side and, now we are into a final, we know we have to show our best form.”
Leicester Tigers (v London Irish, Guinness Premiership Final, Twickenham, Saturday, 5.30pm)
15 Geordan Murphy (captain)
14 Scott Hamilton
13 Ayoola Erinle
12 Danny Hipkiss
11 Johne Murphy
10 Sam Vesty
9 Julien Dupuy
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 George Chuter
3 Julian White
4 Tom Croft
5 Ben Kay
6 Craig Newby
7 Ben Woods
8 Jordan Crane
Replacements
16 Benjamin Kayser
17 Dan Cole
18 Louis Deacon
19 Lewis Moody
20 Harry Ellis
21 Matt Smith
22 Tom Varndell
