Leicester Tigers side to play Harlequins
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Leicester Tigers have named their team for Saturday’s game against Harlequins at 3:05pm at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
England players Freddie Steward, Ben Youngs, Dan Cole and Ollie Chessum, as well as Rugby World Cup winners Jasper Wiese and Handré Pollard, start in their first game back from test duties with Tongan international Solomone Kata also earning a place in Tigers’ XV after an excellent cameo on-debut last week.
Francois Van Wyk rotating with James Cronin at loosehead prop is the only additional change in Tigers’ starting lineup, with Academy hooker Archie Vanes named on the bench for what could be a Gallagher Premiership debut.
The finishing group also features Matt Scott who will make his first appearance of the season if required off the bench.
Tigers head coach, Dan McKellar said: “It’s been exciting for us as a group having the whole squad back together this week, as I’m sure it is for our supporters as well.”
“Those international boys coming back have worked hard this week to get up to speed but there’s no doubt their experience and quality in training and meetings has given the squad a lift.
“Every game in this league is extremely competitive but we’ve got three out of the next four at home now to look forward to.”
STARTING XV
15 Mike Brown [13]
14 Freddie Steward [72]
13 Dan Kelly [63]
12 Solomone Kata [1]
11 Josh Bassett [6]
10 Handré Pollard [15]
9 Ben Youngs [302]
1 Francois van Wyk [37]
2 Charlie Clare [84]
3 Dan Cole [310]
4 Cameron Henderson [43]
5 Ollie Chessum [43]
6 Hanro Liebenberg (c) [91]
7 Tommy Reffell [102]
8 Jasper Wiese [61]
REPLACEMENTS
16 Archie Vanes [9]
17 James Cronin [18]
18 Will Hurd [31]
19 Sam Carter [6]
20 Matt Rogerson [6]
21 Tom Whiteley [11]
22 Charlie Atkinson [23]
23 Matt Scott [66]
