The matchday squad for Saturday's Premiership Women's Rugby showdown with Sale Sharks Women has been named.
Leicester Tigers fans are being treated to a Double Header to kick off the New Year at Mattioli Woods Welford Road with the men's side taking on Exeter Chiefs (3.05pm) ahead of the PWR match at 5.50pm.
Tom Hudson's side are searching for a league double over the Sharks after winning in Sale earlier in the campaign which would also be a first-ever home victory in the Premiership.
For just the second time this season, Hudson has named an unchanged line-up from the last outing - away to Harlequins in Twickenham - while Jordan Russell returns to the squad, named amongst the replacements.
Speaking ahead of the game, Hudson said: "We always enjoy the Double Header matchdays and are confident plenty of fans will stick around to support us in this crucial game."
"Last time we faced them, I spoke about managing emotions and clarity in our execution which is the same message to the side this week. We need to stick to our process and stay focused on continuing to see progress as a group."
STARTING XV
15 Claire Gallagher [15]
14 Emily Henrich [7]
13 Meg Jones [16]
12 Evie Wills [11]
11 Francesca McGhie [20]
10 Natasha Jones [46]
9 Amy Relf [48]
1 Leah Bartlett [23]
2 Amy Cokayne [11]
3 Sophie Benavent [7]
4 Eva Donaldson [21]
5 Charlotte Fray [33]
6 Julia Omokhuale [15]
7 Katie Childs [40]
8 Roisin McBrien [42] (c)
REPLACEMENTS
16 Nikki Simpson [10]
17 Abbey Constable [6]
18 Nadine Vincent [10]
19 Morgan Richardson [48]
20 Tiana Gordon [6]
21 Jenny Maxwell [11]
22 Tess Feury [21]
23 Jordan Russell [7]
Start 2025 at home with Tigers Family and friends for the New Year Double Header.
Mattioli Woods Welford Road hosts a Gallagher Premiership game against Exeter Chiefs (3.05pm) before a Premiership Women's Rugby showdown with Sale Sharks Women (5.50pm) next Saturday, January 4.
Be there to cheer on both sides in the first fixture of 2025 as the second half of the campaign officially gets underway!
Commentary
FULL-TIME AT MATTIOLI WOODS WELFORD ROAD
We are full-time here at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, an action-packed match gives the women's team their first win at home of the season. With the final score sitting at:
Leicester Tigers 38 - 17 Sale Sharks
CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL │ SALE SHARKS
An unsuccessful conversion for Sale Sharks.
TRY │ SALE SHARKS
The pressure boils over for the Tigers side, as Sale mauls over from short-range in the left-hand corner to secure another try in the final few minutes.
77
PRESSURE IS ON WITH MINUTES TO GO
The ball switches hands, with both sides seeing a nice chunk of possession.
Sale side Vicky A Irwin catches a break in the line, but is shut down by Tigers own Tess Feury.
SUBSTITUTION │ LEICESTER TIGERS
Leah Bartlett is off the pitch, with Sophie Benavent returning to the pitch.
SUBSTITUTION │ LEICESTER TIGERS
The Tigers side sees another change, with Nikki Simpson off the bench in substitution for Amy Cokayne.
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL │ SALE SHARKS
Number 15 and co-captain, Lizzie Duffy sees a successful conversion through for the Sale side.
TRY │ SALE SHARKS
Sale gains metres on the Tigers side, breaking through their line to maul over at short range for their second try of the game.
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL │ LEICESTER TIGERS
Claire Gallagher is on fire as she secures yet another successful conversion for the Tigers side.
TRY │ LEICESTER TIGERS
It's Emily Henrich, who claims a mid-air kick before crashing down onto the try-line for yet another Tigers try.
SUBSTITUTION │ LEICESTER TIGERS
Abbey Constable, Tiana Gordon, Nadine Russell are on the pitch, as Katie Childs, Leah Bartlett And Sophie Benavent are off.
CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL │ SALE SHARKS
It's a near miss for Sale, as the ball bounces off the post for a missed conversion.
TRY │ SALE SHARKS
It's a late start for Sale Sharks, as number 14, Sophie Hopkins bowls over in the corner to secure Sale's first try of the match.
45
A STRONG START
Sale is applying the pressure early on, making numerous attempts to break through the Tigers line.
But a strong Tigers defence pushes them back a third, with the likes of Julia Omokhuale and Charlotte Fray keeping the sharks at bay.
BACK UNDERWAY
We return from the half-time break, with the score sat at:
Leicester Tigers 31 - 0 Sale Sharks
HALF-TIME
It's half-time here at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium, and the score sits at:
31- 0 to the Leicester Tigers.
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL│ LEICESTER TIGERS
A successful conversion from Claire Gallagher for the Tigers side.
TRY │ LEICESTER TIGERS
It's a consistent back and forth here tonight, with Sale enjoying possession of the ball for a number of minutes.
But with a strong Tigers side gaining metres, mounting the pressure back onto Sale with a rolling maul, allowing for Charlotte Fray to secure another try for the Tigers side.
25
TIGERS UNDER PRESSURE
Sale seem to have found their footing, mounting pressure onto the Tigers side.
They push back the Tigers side into their final third, yet are unable to find a gap to secure their first try of the game.
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION │ LEICESTER TIGERS
Another successful conversion for the Tigers side.
TRY │ LEICESTER TIGERS
It is Meg Jones' night, as she zips through Sale Sharks line, diving over from long-range for a hat-trick try.
With that, Leicester Tigers goes home with a bonus-point tonight.
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL │ LEICESTER TIGERS
Meg Jones strikes again, for yet another successful conversion.
TRY │ LEICESTER TIGERS
Magic Meg strikes again, an absolute powerhouse tonight as shoots through Sale's line for yet another Tigers try.
15
MAGIC MEG KEEPS THE PRESSURE GOING
Tigers continue to push through the third, with the likes of Amy Relf and Eva Donaldson making breaks.
Meg Jones continues to utilize her deadly goose-step, and almost slips free from the Sharks for what would of been a wonder try.
CONVERSION MISSED │ LEICESTER TIGERS
The Tigers side misses the conversion.
TRY │ LEICESTER TIGERS
The Tigers are on a roll, pushing Sale continuously back towards the try-line. A successful maul allows for Emily Henrich to push through on a hard-line, diving over onto the try-line.
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION │ LEICESTER TIGERS
It's a double whammy for Meg Jones, as she nails the conversion from the touchline.
TRY │ LEICESTER TIGERS
It's a strong possessive start for the Tigers side, cornering Sale at every occasion. But it's Meg Jones who breaks through the line, securing the first try of the match for the Tigers side.
IT'S KICK-OFF!
We are underway here at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, with our second match of the day against Sale Sharks women for Round 12 of Premiership Women's Rugby!
-5
PREVIEW
Tigers are looking for their first ever Premiership home win today but will have a serious battle on their hands against a hard-working Sharks side.
More than a third (38%) of the Sharks' touches this season have been carries, a higher proportion than any other team, but Tigers have demonstrated their turnover work as among the best in the league with an average of 8.2 turnovers per 80 minutes, the second-most in the PWR.
Sale also have the second-most kicks in play at an average of more than 16 per game, leaning towards possession being dominated by Leicester of which Hudson believes puts the pressure on his players to ensure there is "clarity" in their attack.
Read the full Preview HERE.
-25
TEAM NEWS
Tom Hudson's side are searching for a league double over the Sharks after winning in Sale earlier in the campaign which would also be a first-ever home victory in the Premiership.
For just the second time this season, Hudson has named an unchanged line-up from the last outing - away to Harlequins in Twickenham - while Jordan Russell returns to the squad, named amongst the replacements.
Check out the full team HERE.
-30
THIRTY MINUTES TO GO!
There's just half an hour until the second match of today's double header as Leicester Tigers battle Sale Sharks women in Premiership Women's Rugby!