Ahead of a derby day clash with Loughborough Lightning, Leicester Tigers are looking to build on the momentum accrued in the second half of a high-scoring visit to Bristol Bears Women last weekend.
Leicester scored four tries in the second half at Ashton Gate, with Tom Hudson wishing, in his post-match reaction, that the game could have gone on for "20 minutes more."
In aiming to keep momentum, Hudson has made just one change to the starting line-up from last weekend with Tiana Gordon starting in the back row.
Amongst the replacements, Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele is named in a Tigers squad for just the third time this season, after a try-scoring cameo off the bench against Harlequins in December.
Speaking ahead of the game, Head Coach Tom Hudson said: "It's a derby day at home and so this week has been a bit more intense."
"We have named an experienced starting team who can take the game to Lightning from the first minute, while it is probably the strongest bench of the campaign so far and so there is expectation on them to make a difference when they are brought into the game."
Key to the recent glut of tries has been an increased focus on red zone efficiency - the match against Bears demonstrated this, with Tigers possessing the best 22m efficiency in Round 14, winning a penalty or scoring a try in 64% of their entries (averaging 2.64 points per visit).
Against the league's highest scoring side, Leicester Tigers were also made to work hard in defence. The starting scrum alone made 155 tackles, whilst Leicester made the most dominant tackles (12) in the last round, with No. 8 Tahlia Brody leading the way with three (joint-first of all PWR players), alongside her two tries.
The two respective backrows will see a battle between two workhorses, as Brody's opposite number, Daisy Hibbert-Jones, has made the most tackles (135) and the second-most carries (102) for Loughborough Lightning so far this season. In the fiercely contested atmosphere of a derby match, expect these two to be popping up all over the park.
Two Red Roses will also clash in the centres, with Meg Jones going face to face with veteran international Emily Scarratt.
Jones is in exceptional form coming into this match, scoring her eighth try of the season in just her sixth match last weekend, while Scarratt's renowned boot has been a real weapon for the visitors, making the most kicks in play (15) in Round 14.
"We need to stick to the key principles which have allowed us to be increasingly competitive in these matches - our set piece, our strike plays, our work in broken field," added Hudson.
"We can't wait to be back at Mattioli Woods Welford Road and get stuck into what should be a cracking matchup."
This match forms part of a Double Header, with the Leicester Tigers academy battling Saracens following the conclusion of the women's fixture.
Your women's ticket will grant you access to watch both matches LIVE so buy now to enjoy a double dose of Tigers rugby!
Not only that, big screens around the ground will be showing the men's Gallagher Premiership clash as Leicester Tigers travel to Gloucester Rugby.
There are just three home matches left in this Premiership Women's Rugby season!
Tomorrow's derby day battle against Loughborough Lightning travel is the first, kicking off at 12.45pm.
A week later, February 1, there's a dynamite double header on the cards, with the women's side welcoming champions Gloucester-Hartpury (12pm), whilst the men's team battles Northampton Saints in the Premiership Rugby Cup (3pm).
Finally, Friday, February 21 will see the competition's final round, with Exeter Chiefs visiting to round out the 2024/25 season (7.45pm).
Get your tickets now via the link below!
