Leicester Tigers return from a short winter break this Saturday to face Harlequins in Premiership Women's Rugby action.
The side will compete as part of 'Big Game 16', a double header fixture of Tigers v Quins held at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham. The match will also be broadcast live on TNT Sports.
Speaking ahead of the game, Head Coach Tom Hudson said: "We're back from a three week break between matches and so our preparations have for this fixture have been crucial.
"Even with the festivities surrounding the last few days, the squad have been exemplary in handling the requirements we've laid out as a coaching team.
"Saturday will be a big occasion and we're excited to embrace the challenges it throws our way."
A reshuffled starting team sees two returns amongst the backs, Meg Jones and Francesca McGhie.
In the pack, captain Roisin McBrien moves to No. 8 while Katie Childs will start at flanker for the first time in a Leicester Tigers jersey.
Both McGhie and Childs are set to make milestone appearances, their 20th and 40th Leicester Tigers matches respectively.
On the bench there are also two returns, Tiana Gordon back having missed the Saracens fixture, while USA international Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele is named in a Premiership squad for the first time this season.
Hosts Harlequins are largely unchanged, bar the dual returns of Scotland lock Sarah Bonar and England scrum half Lucy Packer.
'Quins are in winning form at present, victorious in their last six matches, while Leicester will look to return to winning ways, after securing victory at Sale Sharks before falling short a week later against Saracens.
In terms of key clashes, it's difficult to look past the two magicians in the backline - Red Roses, mavericks, 'cowboys', Meg Jones and Ellie Kildunne both offer game breaking moments with astonishing regularity. The reigning PWR Player of the Year versus the reigning World Player of the Year.
"'Quins are a side in great form, who offer solidity in the pack, especially around the maul, and exciting options out wide" Hudson added.
"Internally, we know we've shown immense improvement, not just from last year but as this season has developed. On Saturday, we look to take another step forward in our strength as a group."
That pack solidity is borne out by the statistics - Harlequins have scored the most maul tries this season: seven in nine matches. They also have the second-highest scrum success rate (95.2%).
However, they are second to none other than Leicester Tigers, with the best scrum success rate in the league (96.3%). Tigers have scored four tries from scrums so far this season and it will be a key battleground at Allianz Stadium.
Harlequins love to keep the ball in hand - having made an average of 161 carries per 80 minutes this season (1st in the league), they have played the most phases per possession (four).
Silk in attack meets steel in defence. Leicester lock Charlotte Fray has made the most dominant tackles this season (11), whilst teammate Julia Omokhuale has made nine.
Finally, the move of Katie Childs from centre to the backrow doesn’t come without statistical merit.
Although all six of Childs’ starts this season have come at 12, the centre has demonstrated skills that befit that of an all-action flanker.
Among the league’s centres, Childs is in the 88th percentile for tackles per 80 minutes and the 93rd percentile for tackle success. She also sits second amongst centres for dominant tackles.
“In the last number of weeks, Katie has been training alongside the forwards and working immensely hard.
“The adaptation she has shown in that time has been nothing short of remarkable.
“She has earned this opportunity in the back row and we can’t wait to see her out there and putting all that graft into a gameday.”
Leicester Tigers return to Mattioli Woods Welford Road for their first match of 2025 in a blockbuster Premiership double header.
With the men's team set to face Exeter Chiefs in the Gallagher Premiership, the women's side face Sale Sharks in Premiership Women's Rugby.
Secure your seat for a bumper rugby day out and kick off the new year at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
