Steward to hit 100 Tigers games against Ulster
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Leicester Tigers have named their matchday squad for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup fixture at 8pm against Ulster Rugby at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
Fullback Freddie Steward will make his 100th Tigers appearance in the crucial round three clash, the England international having come through Leicester’s academy.
Izaia Perese makes his return to action with fellow Australian Jed Holloway earning his first start for the club at lock.
The final change sees Finn Carnduff selected for his first appearance of the season after making his successful return to play following an injury in early October.
Speaking to media ahead of the game, Leicester Tigers head coach Michael Cheika said: “It’s going to be a tough battle for us.”
“This is Europe. Realistically every game is a final, is a qualification match.
“We’re looking forward to it.”
STARTING XV
15 Freddie Steward [99]
14 Josh Bassett [22]
13 Izaia Perese [8]
12 Solomone Kata [29]
11 Ollie Hassell-Collins [35]
10 Handré Pollard [41]
9 Jack van Poortvliet [84]
1 Nicky Smith [11]
2 Julián Montoya (C) [66]
3 Joe Heyes [152]
4 Cameron Henderson [51]
5 Jed Holloway [5]
6 Finn Carnduff [14]
7 Tommy Reffell [125]
8 Olly Cracknell [54]
REPLACEMENTS
16 Charlie Clare [107]
17 James Whitcombe [59]
18 Dan Cole [332]
19 Harry Wells [208]
20 Emeka Ilione [32]
21 Ben Youngs [325]
22 Jamie Shillcock [39]
23 Joseph Woodward [19]
Media notes
Youngest: Finn Carnduff, 20
Most experienced: Dan Cole, 332 appearances
Leicester Tigers only defeat in their last four games was at home to Bristol on 21 December.
Tigers 56-17 victory over Hollywoodbets Sharks in round two ended a run of five successive losses in the Investec Champions Cup.
Leicester have lost just one of their last four home games in the tournament: 10-27 to Leinster in round four last year.
Overall the two clubs have met on eleven previous occasions with Ulster having the edge by seven wins to four.
Six of those meetings have been at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, where Leicester's record is won 4, lost 2.
Ulster's two successes at the Tigers lair were in January 2014 and January 2019.
