England Saxons lock Kitchener, a summer arrival from Worcester Warriors, replaces George Skivington in the second row, and director of rugby Richard Cockerill makes two futher changes to the forward pack following the win at Newcastle Falcons.
Thomas Waldrom is in New Zealand as precautionary cover for England’s World Cup squad, resulting in a recall for Ben Woods at openside as Julian Salvi switches to the No8 shirt, while on-loan prop Michael Holford starts in the front row.
Matt Smith returns on the wing in the only change to the backline.
Mathew Tait is in line for his first appearance for the club from the replacements’ bench after his recovery from injury.
Skivington, Julian White and Kieran Brookes were all injured in the win at Newcastle last Sdaturday and join Craig Newby, Jordan Crane and Geoff Parling on the sidelines.
Tickets for Saturday’s game are still available from the Tigers ticket office. Phone the hotline on 0844 856 1880, call in at the ticket office (open until 5pm Friday and from 9am matchday) or book online.
Leicester Tigers (v Saracens, Welford Road, Saturday 2.30pm)
15 Scott Hamilton
14 Matt Smith
13 Billy Twelvetrees
12 Anthony Allen
11 Niall Morris
10 George Ford
9 James Grindal
1 Boris Stankovich
2 George Chuter (c)
3 Michael Holford
4 Ed Slater
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Steve Mafi
7 Ben Woods
8 Julian Salvi
Replacements
16 Rob Hawkins
17 Jonny Harris
18 Peter Bucknall
19 Tom Youngs
20 Tom Armes
21 Mickey Young
22 Jeremy Staunton
23 Mathew Tait
Saracens are without Schalk Brits who took a heavy knock last weekend, and back-rower justin Melck due to a calf injury.
Jamie George comes in at hooker, with Harry Allen on the bench. Will Fraser and Jackson Wray start in the back row with Melck ruled out while Andy Saull is named on the bench.
The other change to the starting line-up sees Owen Farrell start at centre with Adam Powell among the replacements. George Kruis also returns to the bench in place of Hugh Vyvyan.
Saracens
15 Alex Goode
14 David Strettle
13 Brad Barritt
12 Owen Farrell
11 Joe Maddock
10 Charlie Hodgson
9 Neil de Kock
1 Rhys Gill
2 Jamie George
3 Carlos Nieto
4 Steve Borthwick (c)
5 Mouritz Botha
6 Jackson Wray
7 Will Fraser
8 Ernst Joubert
16 Harry Allen
17 Deon Carstens
18 Mako Vunipola
19 George Kruis
20 Andy Saull
21 Ben Spencer
22 Adam Powell
23 James Short
