Steve Borthwick has named the Leicester Tigers matchday squad for Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership fixture against Bristol Bears at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
“We are excited to be back home again and looking forward to seeing another packed, loud crowd at Mattioli Woods Welford Road."
Ellis Genge leads the side at loosehead prop, named alongside Julián Montoya and Dan Cole in the starting front row.
Harry Wells and Calum Green are the second-row pairing, with vice-captain Hanro Liebenberg, Tommy Reffell and Jasper Wiese in the back row.
Charlie Clare, James Whitcombe and Joe Heyes are the replacement front-rowers, with Eli Snyman and Olly Robinson their fellow forwards on the Leicester bench.
Ben Youngs and George Ford are the starting half-backs.
Guy Porter and Matías Moroni are partnered in the Tigers midfield, with Harry Potter and Chris Ashton named to start on the wings and Freddie Steward at full-back.
Richard Wigglesworth, Freddie Burns and Nemani Nadolo are the replacement backs.
Previewing Saturday’s return to Mattioli Woods Welford Road, the Tigers Head Coach said: “We are excited to be back home again and looking forward to seeing another packed, loud crowd at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
“The day will be extra special as we honour the contribution of Tom Youngs to Leicester Tigers and saying thank-you to a legend of our club, which I have no doubt the supporters will join us in doing.”
Speaking about this weekend’s opponents, Borthwick said: “Bristol have an incredible squad, full of world-class players. They are incredibly dangerous with ball in hand and you can see how much they enjoy that style, playing from anywhere on the pitch.”
STARTING XV
15 Freddie Steward [50]
14 Chris Ashton [7]
13 Matías Moroni [30]
12 Guy Porter [39]
11 Harry Potter [36]
10 George Ford [123]
9 Ben Youngs [277]
1 Ellis Genge (c) [105]
2 Julián Montoya [23]
3 Dan Cole [284]
4 Harry Wells [150]
5 Calum Green [86]
6 Hanro Liebenberg (vc) [53]
7 Tommy Reffell [72]
8 Jasper Wiese [39]
REPLACEMENTS
16 Charlie Clare [47]
17 James Whitcombe [21]
18 Joe Heyes [96]
19 Eli Snyman [19]
20 Olly Robinson [6]
21 Richard Wigglesworth [33]
22 Freddie Burns [97]
23 Nemani Nadolo [32]
Bristol Bears: 15 Ioan Lloyd*, 14 Toby Fricker, 13 Jack Bates, 12 Piers O’Conor, 11 Henry Purdy, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Harry Randall; 1 Jake Woolmore, 2 Harry Thacker, 3 John Afoa, 4 Joe Joyce, 5 Chris Vui, 6 Steven Luatua (c), 7 Sam Jeffries, 8 Fitz Harding.
Replacements: 16 Will Capon, 17 Jono Benz-Salomon, 18 Jake Armstrong, 19 John Hawkins, 20 Dan Thomas, 21 Andy Uren, 22 Tiff Eden*, 23 Alapati Leiua
* change to original squad
