Quantcast
Channel: Leicester Mercury Latest Stories Feed
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 9894

Leicester Tigers roll out big guns for 'massive' clash at Exeter

$
0
0

Leicester Tigers have all their big guns out in force for today's Aviva Premiership clash against Exeter (5.0).

All seven of their England contingent are back in the starting line-up for the trip to Sandy Park after returning from their Six Nations campaign.

Tom Youngs, Dan Cole, Geoff Parling and Tom Croft start in the Tigers pack, while Ben Youngs, Toby Flood are at scrum-half and fly-half respectively.

Manu Tuilagi slots back into the centres alongside Anthony Allen, who makes his return after a leg injury.

Martin Castrogiovanni, who captained Italy during their Six Nations campaign, is named on the bench.

Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: "It's great to have everyone back for the start of the run-in.

"We've had a good week back together and now we just want to get back out on the field.

"Exeter have a very good record at home, but every game from now until the end of the season is massive for us and we have to get it right."

Fly-half Flood will lead out the side the first time in the absence of both Geordan Murphy and Louis Deacon.

Cockerill faced a tough decision on who to replace the injured Deacon, and Ed Slater has been given the nod over fellow lock Graham Kitchener, who is on the bench.

But Kitchener he is confident Tigers can get a result at what will be a hostile atmosphere.

Tigers lost 19-11 at Exeter last season, which left them needing to win all eight of their remaining matches to secure a home semi-final – a feat they duly accomplished.

"We have our internationals back now, so I am sure we will be in the right place," said Kitchener. "Exeter are a different animal at home. Their pack is strong and, from one to 15, they are a physical side with a good set-piece.

"We know what we have to do to get a result.

"We need to front-up physically and make sure our set-piece is good and that we get over the gain-line on first and second phase. They have a lot to play for, too, and that will add fuel to their fire at home."

Leicester Tigers roll out big guns for 'massive' clash at Exeter


Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 9894

Latest Images

Trending Articles



Latest Images