Matt Smith captains Leicester Tigers Development XV in their match against Cambridge University at Grange Road this evening (kick-off 7.15pm).
With so many players away with their international squads and the seniors playing in the Guinness Premiership yesterday, Smith leads a young Tigers side and is the only member of the starting XV with any first-team experience. England national academy star Ben Youngs starts at scrum-half, with Aiden McNulty outside him at no.10. Vavae Tuilagi is included on the wing, while Ben Pienaar and Ian Nimmo, who have been in good form in the Guinness A League team this season, are among the forwards. Tom Croft continues his return from injury by packing down on the openside flank, alongside Sam Herrington. In a new-look front row Adam Bray retains his place at hooker but will be joined by James Graham and Phil Boulton. Guinness A League regulars Ian Humphreys and Frank Murphy are both included among the replacements.
The University team features a number of players with international representative honours, including captain John Blaikie, who is a New Zealand Under-21 cap, as well as several with Premiership experience. Prop Jon Dawson is a former Wasps and Harlequins player, while fly-half Johnny Ufton played more than 100 games for Wasps. Leicester Tigers
15 Mitchell Culpin
14 Paul Kendel
13 Jack Cobden
12 Matt Smith (capt)
11 Vavae Tuilagi
10 Aiden McNulty
9 Ben Youngs
1 James Graham
2 Adam Bray
3 Phil Boulton
4 Michael Passaportis
5 Ian Nimmo
6 Sam Herrington
7 Tom Croft
8 Ben Pienaar
With so many players away with their international squads and the seniors playing in the Guinness Premiership yesterday, Smith leads a young Tigers side and is the only member of the starting XV with any first-team experience. England national academy star Ben Youngs starts at scrum-half, with Aiden McNulty outside him at no.10. Vavae Tuilagi is included on the wing, while Ben Pienaar and Ian Nimmo, who have been in good form in the Guinness A League team this season, are among the forwards. Tom Croft continues his return from injury by packing down on the openside flank, alongside Sam Herrington. In a new-look front row Adam Bray retains his place at hooker but will be joined by James Graham and Phil Boulton. Guinness A League regulars Ian Humphreys and Frank Murphy are both included among the replacements.
The University team features a number of players with international representative honours, including captain John Blaikie, who is a New Zealand Under-21 cap, as well as several with Premiership experience. Prop Jon Dawson is a former Wasps and Harlequins player, while fly-half Johnny Ufton played more than 100 games for Wasps. Leicester Tigers
15 Mitchell Culpin
14 Paul Kendel
13 Jack Cobden
12 Matt Smith (capt)
11 Vavae Tuilagi
10 Aiden McNulty
9 Ben Youngs
1 James Graham
2 Adam Bray
3 Phil Boulton
4 Michael Passaportis
5 Ian Nimmo
6 Sam Herrington
7 Tom Croft
8 Ben Pienaar
Replacements from:
Greg Sammons
Ben Alexander
Matt Parr
Chris Mundy
Frank Murphy
Ian Humphreys
Cambridge University:
15 Hamish Murray
14 Chris Lewis
13 Joe Ansbro
12 Steffan Thomas
11 David Tibbott
10 Johnny Ufton
1 Richard Schwikkard
2 Joseph Clark
3 Jon Dawson
4 John Blaikie (capt)
5 Trevor Boynton
6 Nathan Johnson
7 Dave O'Brien
8 Ed Andrews
