Tigers start Gopperth at 10 against Falcons, Nadolo returns

September 16, 2022
1673
Ultimate Rugby

Steve Borthwick has named the Leicester Tigers matchday squad for the club’s first home game of the 2022/23 Gallagher Premiership season.

Tigers take on Newcastle Falcons at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday, September 17 in Round 2.

Hanro Liebenberg will lead the side out at home for the first time in a Gallagher Premiership fixture since being appointed club captain with Dan Cole and Ben Youngs named as his vice-captains for the match.

Included in the matchday squad are four players - Ollie Chessum, Joe Heyes, Jack van Poortvliet and Guy Porter - who will make their first appearance of the new season after touring with the England senior men’s side in the summer.

Calum Green and Nemani Nadolo will play their first match of the 2022/23 campaign after missing the opening-round away trip to Exeter Chiefs.

James Cronin and Jimmy Gopperth will make their first league appearance at home as Leicester Tigers players, while Phil Cokanasiga and Olly Cracknell will make theirs if used from the bench.

Joe Taufete’e, who was an unused replacement in Round 1, is in line for his senior Leicester Tigers debut and first home appearance.

STARTING XV:

15 Chris Ashton [13]

14 Harry Potter [42]

13 Matt Scott [48]

12 Guy Porter [45]

11 Nemani Nadolo [37]

10 Jimmy Gopperth [1]

9 Ben Youngs (vc) [283]

1 James Cronin [1]

2 Charlie Clare [53]

3 Dan Cole (vc) [291]