The Leicester Tigers Academy begin their 21/22 league campaign against Northampton Saints Academy on Friday night in Bedford.
The Tigers side includes players from nine schools across the region, with Brooksby Melton College the most well represented with nine players in the matchday squad.
Joseph Woodward captains the side at inside-centre, partnering George Loose in the Leicester midfield.
Max Fairlie starts at full-back, with Ben Moore and Samuel Jacques the starting wings.
Fergus Makepeace and Morgan Meredith are the starting half-backs.
BMC-duo Jack Hurst and Nathan Hind are the starting props in the Tigers front-row, with Charlie Barraclough named at hooker.
Callum Richardson and Finn Carnduff are included in the second-row, while Joshua Manz, Oliver Arnold and Simon Koroiyadi round out the Tigers pack in the back-row.
Max Nolan, Tom Wand and Oliver Crane are the front-row replacements, with Dan Ormerod, Chester Owen, Oscar McCarthy, Ben Taylor and Oscar van Deventer making up the Leicester bench.
Explaining selection, Lead Academy Coach Geraint Davies believes the matchday squad named are competition-ready.
"This group have really showed that they are ready for the challenge immediately," said Davies.
"It is predominantly the senior boys within the group who, throughout pre-season, have shown they are the most ready to get into competition."
Discussing the squad's preparation, the Lead Academy Coach added: "It has been really competitive, they have worked really hard.
"We had a really positive session at Loughborough University this week and getting the boys into that team based mindset has been very easy because of their commitment and enthusiasm.
"They're a keen bunch, who are desperate to get playing again."
Looking back on the pre-season programme, Davies admitted there is an excitement amongst players and coaches for fixtures to begin.
"We have spent a lot of time on their individual development, ensuring they have their individual needs meet, which is enjoyable and great to see," he said.
"But, yes, it's exciting to be able to get back into that team, game mindset again for all of us."
STARTING XV
15 Max Fairlie - Kings Gratham
14 Ben Moore - Brooksby Melton College
13 George Loose - Greshams
12 Joseph Woodward (c) - Brooksby Melton College
11 Samuel Jacques - Brooksby Melton College
10 Morgan Meredith - Brooksby Melton College
9 Fergus Makepeace - Uppingham
1 Jack Hurst - Brooksby Melton College
2 Charlie Barraclough - Denstone College
3 Nathan Hind - Brooksby Melton College
4 Callum Richardson - Greshams
5 Finn Carnduff - Leicester Grammar
6 Joshua Manz - Northampton School for Boys
7 Oliver Arnold - Uppingham
8 Simon Koroiyadi - Trent College
REPLACEMENTS
16 Max Nolan - Brooksby Melton College
17 Tom Wand - Brooksby Melton College
18 Oliver Crane - Oakham
19 Dan Ormerod - Oakham
20 Chester Owen - Brooksby Melton College
21 Oscar McCarthy - Leicester Grammar
22 Ben Taylor - Oakham
23 Oscar van Deventer - Denstone College
MATCH DETAILS
Northampton Saints Academy v Leicester Tigers Academy
Bedford Athletic (MK41 8QA)
Kick-Off: 7.00pm
Friday, December 17
