Leicester Tigers hooker Jimmy Stevens is in line for a return to competitive rugby after being named on the bench for Bedford Blues this weekend.
The Tigers Academy graduate last featured in last season’s Gallagher Premiership match with Worcester Warriors at Welford Road and, after working his way back to fitness over the last 14 months, takes a place among the replacements for Bedford’s Greene King IPA Championship match away to Nottingham this Sunday.
And the 28-year-old is set to face off against some of his Tigers club mates, with Joe Thomas, Cameron Jordan and Johnny McPhillips all included in the Green and Whites’ matchday squad for the Round 6 fixture at The Bay.
Elsewhere, development squad fly-half Sam Costelow and full-back Freddie Steward both start for Ampthill as they host Jersey on Saturday.
Thom Smith starts at No8 for Yorkshire Carnegie against Hartpury – also on Saturday – with Henri Lavin and Taylor Gough also slated for game-time as head coach Joe Ford includes three back-rowers among his replacements.
Loughborough Students call on Jonny Law, Keston Lines and Tom Manz for their National Two North match-up with Scunthorpe on Saturday. Fellow development squad member Joe Browning started in the Students’ impressive win over Hartpury University on Wednesday.
Development tighthead Osman Dimen is included for Birmingham Moseley as they look to crack the top four in National One with a home game against Cambridge on Saturday.
Ollie Ashworth starts at No8 for Hinckley as they host Huddersfield in National Two North, while Leo Gilliland lines up on the wing for the Hornets’ seconds in the trip to Lichfield.
Leicester Lions can call on James Whitcombe and Sam Eveleigh as they welcome Old Redcliffians to Blaby in the southern section of the same league on Saturday.
