Leicester Tigers welcome Connacht Rugby to Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Sunday (1.00pm) for the second time this year but the first-ever meeting in Heineken Champions Cup action.
Both teams got off to a winning start in Europe last weekend, with Connacht scoring a bonus-point victory over Stade Francais while Tigers secured an away win against French league leaders Bordeaux-Bègles.
The clubs met in the Challenge Cup knockout stages in March 2021 as Tigers made progress thanks to a 48-32 win, with Charlie Clare, Harry Wells and Guy Porter among the tryscorers in a game played behind closed doors during the Covid-hit part of the season.
Ben Youngs, veteran of 75 appearances in European rugby with Tigers and captain of the team this Sunday, said: “Connacht had a really good win over Stade Francais last week and we know they will take confidence from that, but we have to keep going about our business as we have done so far and strive to keep getting better.”
Youngs is joined in the backline by Freddie Burns who starts at fly-half for the first time since his return to Tigers in the summer, and there are places for Freddie Steward, Dan Kelly, Nephi Leatigaga and Eli Snyman after missing the trip to Bordeaux. Julián Montoya also joins the 23 and is named among the replacements.
Tigers have won all 12 games in league and cups since the start of the season, equalling their second-best start ever, but host a Champions Cup game this weekend for the first time since 2018/19.
Referee is Scotland’s Mike Adamson in a late change to the previously appointed French officials.
Check out the Matchday Guide for all your need to know before you get to the stadium, including guidance on the new Covid restrictions.
Match tickets are still available at the Tigers ticket office. Book in person, online or by phoning 0116 319 8888 (option 2).
If you are not attending the game, there is live coverage with BT Sport and Channel 4, or follow the club’s Matchday Live service on the website and app, with full reaction afterwards.
