The matchday squad for Round 1 of Premiership Women's Rugby, away to Gloucester-Hartpury, has been named.
Roisin McBrien, who captained the club in the PWR Up Series to kick off the 24/25 campaign, will lead Leicester Tigers out at Kingsholm Stadium for the first league fixture of the season under new Head Coach Tom Hudson.
Hooker Nikki Simpson is named to start for the first time after appearing twice off the bench in the PWR Up Series.
The side features eight players making their Premiership Women's Rugby debuts, including Rowann Sinclair - who is named among the replacements - who, if used, will make her Leicester Tigers debut. Sinclair, who has represented Army Rugby Union, has joined on a short-term contract.
Simpson and Sinclair are joined by Evie Wills, Elin Beaver, Zainab Alema, Leah Heath, Ellie Smith and Nadine Vincent as the eight league debutants included for Sunday's game.
Speaking ahead of the game, Hudson said: "We have had two weeks now to build on the excellent performance against Loughborough and the level of commitment and the desire to improve the squad have demonstrated in that time has been exemplary."
"The real challenge starts now. The Gloucester-Hartpury record speaks for itself and we know it will be a proper battle."
TNT Sports is showing the match live on Sunday (October 6) at 12.45pm.
STARTING XV
15 Amanda Swartz [18]
14 Charlotte Daley [13]
13 Evie Wills [2] **
12 Katie Childs [32]
11 Elin Beaver [2] **
10 Natasha Jones [40]
9 Amy Relf [38]
1 Zainab Alema [2] **
2 Nikki Simpson [2] **
3 Jade Jones [25]
4 Leah Heath [2] **
5 Charlotte Fray [24]
6 Jordan Russell [2]
7 Morgan Richardson [40]
8 Roisin McBrien (c) [37]
REPLACEMENTS
16 Rowann Sinclair *
17 Ellie Smith [2] **
18 Nadine Vincent [1] **
19 Eeva Pohjanheimo [2]
20 Tiana Gordon [2]
21 Jenny Maxwell [2]
22 Sarah Nicholas [16]
23 Emma Mundy [2]
* Denotes Leicester Tigers debut + Premiership Women's Rugby debut
** Denotes Premiership Women's Rugby debut
Leicester Tigers will return to Mattioli Woods Welford Road for three successive Premiership home games, starting from Sunday, October 20!
All three games are on sale now and you can see the full details below:
- Leicester Tigers v Harlequins | Sunday, October 20 (kick off: 5.45pm)
- Leicester Tigers v Trailfinders Women | Sunday, November 3 (kick off: 3pm)
- Leicester Tigers v Bristol Bears | Saturday, November 9 (kick off: 12pm)
Alternatively, make the obvious choice with a 2024/25 Season Ticket.
Guaranteeing entry to every single regular season home match in Premiership Women's Rugby, a season ticket offers the best value and most convenient way to support Leicester Tigers women.
With a host of exclusive benefits and a FREE option for Under-12s, make the obvious choice today!
