Youngs, Henderson start in Tigers Festive Fixture
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Leicester Tigers have named their matchday squad for Saturday’s Festive Fixture at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, Michael Cheika’s Tigers taking on Bristol Bears in round eight of the Gallagher Premiership.
Academy graduate Joe Heyes is named to make his 150th appearance for the club, a remarkable achievement for the 25-year-old tight head prop.
Scrum half Ben Youngs makes his first starting appearance of the season, his 248th time wearing the Tigers number nine jersey.
After making a big impact in his return from injury last week, lock Cameron Henderson partners George Martin in the second row, his first start in over a year.
The other headline selection comes in the midfield with Will Wand earning his first league start alongside Solomone Kata.
Speaking to media ahead of the games, Cheika said: “I’m told it’s going to be the biggest crowd of the year so far, so we’ll enjoy that.”
“Bears are playing good footy. We have to raise our game and meet a few challenges, but also present a few challenges of our own.”
STARTING XV
15 Freddie Steward [96]
14 Josh Bassett [20]
13 Will Wand [7]
12 Solomone Kata [26]
11 Ollie Hassell-Collins [32]
10 Handré Pollard [38]
9 Ben Youngs [322]
1 Nicky Smith [8]
2 Julián Montoya (C) [63]
3 Joe Heyes [149]
4 Cameron Henderson [48]
5 George Martin [70]
6 Hanro Liebenberg [116]
7 Tommy Reffell [122]
8 Olly Cracknell [51]
REPLACEMENTS
16 Charlie Clare [104]
17 James Whitcombe [56]
18 Will Hurd [44]
19 Jed Holloway [2]
20 Emeka Ilione [30]
21 Jack van Poortvliet [81]
22 Jamie Shillcock [37]
23 Joseph Woodward [16]
