Steve Borthwick has named the Leicester Tigers matchday squad for the Gallagher Premiership game against Worcester Warriors at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
The Tigers head coach welcomes back Joe Heyes after the front-rower was released by England earlier this week, with Ollie Chessum, George Ford, Ellis Genge, Freddie Steward, Ben Youngs retained for the Six Nations opener against Scotland.
"Worcester have got good some very good carriers, pace out wide and have an experienced coach in charge in Steve Diamond"
In an unchanged starting front row, Julián Montoya is the hooker with James Whitcombe and Dan Cole the props.
Charlie Clare and Nephi Leatigaga join Heyes as the replacement front-rowers on the Tigers bench.
Harry Wells and Calum Green are the starting locks, with George Martin and Hanro Liebenberg the flankers and Jasper Wiese at No8 in the starting pack.
Liebenberg, in his first starting appearance since the Round 11 win over Harlequins, will captain the team on Saturday.
Eli Snyman, Olly Robinson and Tommy Reffell are the remaining forwards included among the replacements, with Borthwick opting for a 6/2 split on the bench.
Richard Wigglesworth and Freddie Burns are the starting half-backs, in the pair’s first starting appearance together at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, with Dan Kelly partnering Guy Porter in the Leicester midfield.
In the Tigers back-three, Hosea Saumaki and Harry Potter are the wings and Bryce Hegarty is at full-back.
Jack van Poortvliet and Matt Scott are the replacement backs on the bench.
Previewing the Round 15 fixture, Borthwick said: "Worcester have got good some very good carriers, pace out wide and have an experienced coach in charge in Steve Diamond.
"He has seen it, he has done it and I think, as expected, we are starting to see a bit of Steve’s imprint on the side and they way they go about things.
"There is no doubt he will continue building what he wants to build there and they will continue to improve."
The Tigers Head Coach also discussed the side's first outing at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in more than month.
"We are pleased to be able to be back at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday," said Borthwick.
"While it is a privilege for us to get the support we do when we are away from home, and have enjoyed incredible support during the past month on the road, it is always fantastic to be back at our home with all of our supporters.”
STARTING XV
15 Bryce Hegarty [7]
14 Harry Potter [27]
13 Guy Porter [31]
12 Dan Kelly [34]
11 Hosea Saumaki [7]
10 Freddie Burns [87]
9 Richard Wigglesworth (vc) [25]
1 James Whitcombe [12]
2 Julián Montoya [16]
3 Dan Cole [279]
4 Harry Wells [141]
5 Calum Green [76]
6 George Martin [29]
7 Hanro Liebenberg (c) [44]
8 Jasper Wiese [29]
REPLACEMENTS
16 Charlie Clare [39]
17 Nephi Leatigaga [56]
18 Joe Heyes [87]
19 Eli Snyman [9]
20 Tommy Reffell [63]
21 Olly Robinson [1]
22 Jack van Poortvliet [35]
23 Matt Scott [37]
WORCESTER WARRIORS XV: 15 Jamie Shillcock, 14 Perry Humphreys, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Alex Hearle, 10 Billy Searle, 9 Gareth Simpson; 1 Ethan Waller, 2 Niall Annett, 3 Christian Judge, 4 Joe Batley, 5 Justin Clegg, 6 Kyle Hatherell, 7 Ted Hill (c), 8 Matt Kvesic
REPLACEMENTS: 16 Isaac Miller, 17 Kai Owen, 18 Jay Tyack, 19 Tom Dodd, 20 Sione Vailanu, 21 Will Chudley, 22 Tom Howe, 23 Harri Doel
