Leicester Tigers have named their team for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup clash with Hollywoodbets Sharks at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
Captain Julián Montoya makes his return to Tigers action alongside fellow Internationals Handré Pollard, Nicky Smith, George Martin and Tommy Reffell.
Scottish international Cam Henderson makes his first appearance in a Leicester lineup since December 10 last year, after successfully recovering from a long-term injury.
Speaking to media ahead of the game, Leicester Tigers head coach, Michael Cheika said: “There's no better game than this one that's coming up. As far as quality opposition, it's going to be a real test for both teams.
“It's really important as far as the competition is concerned.
“I felt like, I understand that the result wasn't the result we wanted (against UBB in round one). There were some good performances inside of that, all the same. And that's good for us, not just for this week and the competition that creates, but also going forward and as the season moves on and how we were able to use different people in different places.”
STARTING XV
15 Freddie Steward [95]
14 Josh Bassett [19]
13 Izaia Perese [7]
12 Solomone Kata [25]
11 Ollie Hassell-Collins [31]
10 Handré Pollard [37]
9 Jack van Poortvliet [80]
1 Nicky Smith [7]
2 Julián Montoya (C) [62]
3 Joe Heyes [148]
4 Harry Wells [206]
5 George Martin [69]
6 Hanro Liebenberg [115]
7 Tommy Reffell [121]
8 Olly Cracknell [50]
REPLACEMENTS
16 Charlie Clare [103]
17 James Cronin [41]
18 Dan Cole [329]
19 Cam Henderson [47]
20 Emeka Ilione [29]
21 Ben Youngs [321]
22 Jamie Shillcock [36]
23 Joseph Woodward [15]
