Leicester Tigers have named their side for Friday night’s Premiership Cup clash against Nottingham Rugby at 7:45pm at the Bay.
Izaia Perese and Josh Bassett start in a backline which will see Tom Whiteley wear the Tigers number 10 jersey for the first time.
Usually a scrum-half, Whiteley will have academy halfback Ollie Allan inside him, Allan set for his first start for the club after playing a key role in England U20’s Junior World Championship victory earlier this year.
Seniors Hanro Liebenberg, Joseph Woodward, Dan Kelly and Ollie Hassell-Collins are included in the replacements, as is academy prop Bronson Mellowes, who will make his senior debut if required from the bench.
Leicester Tigers coach, Matt Smith said: “We’re excited to play our part in what’s going to be a great occasion at The Bay on Friday night.
“Being around guys like Hanro (Liebenberg), Jack (Kinder) playing outside Izzy (Perese); it’s another excellent development opportunity for our younger players so it’s great to have a few more of the senior team included this week.
“The partnership we have with Nottingham is so valuable, for both clubs. We know how strong a team they are and no doubt it’ll be a great contest on Friday.”
STARTING XV
15 Jamie Shillcock [33]
14 Jack Kinder [2]
13 Izaia Perese [4]
12 Solomone Kata [22]
11 Josh Bassett [17]
10 Tom Whiteley [33]
9 Ollie Allan [1]
1 James Whitcombe [53]
2 Archie Vanes [16]
3 Tim Hoyt [4]
4 Kyle Hatherell [24]
5 Lewis Chessum [11]
6 Emeka Ilione [26]
7 Samuel Williams [2]
8 Matt Rogerson (C) [20]
REPLACEMENTS
16 Charlie Clare [101]
17 Bronson Mellowes*
18 Henry Mountford [2]
19 Côme Joussain [7]
20 Hanro Liebenberg [113]
21 Joseph Woodward [13]
22 Dan Kelly [85]
23 Ollie Hassell-Collins [28]
*Leicester Tigers senior debut
