Pollard's long-awaited comeback from injury

NEWS: Handre Pollard, one of the most highly-rated Premiership signings of the 2022-23 season will make his starting debut for Leicester on Friday – when the Tigers take on Sale Sharks.

Pollard has made just a solitary appearance for Leicester since coming on board at the start of the season, featuring off the bench in a 18-51 loss to Saracens in October.

The experienced World Cup-winning Springbok playmaker has been sidelined since his Premiership debut, with a knee injury first suffered during the Rugby Championship flaring up in the defeat.

Friday’s fixture at Salford City Stadium will mark the final match of the calendar year for both sides.

Pollard’s inclusion at No.10 is the only change new coach Richard Wigglesworth has made to the match-day squad from last weekend’s league win over Gloucester at Welford Road.

Pollard’s inclusion sees Freddie Burns shift to the bench.

Second row forward Calum Green, who is also included among the replacements, is in line for his 100th Leicester Tigers appearance.

Pollard will line up opposite in-form Sale playmaker Robert du Preez, who has one international appearance for the Springboks to his name.

With Pollard sidelined and Elton Jantjies also unavailable, South Africa relied upon the inexperienced Damian Willemse in the No.10 jersey throughout the latter stages of the Rugby Championship as well as the team’s year-end tour, with youngster Mannie Libok also earning minutes at flyhalf throughout November.

With 63 Test caps to his name, Pollard’s return to action will be welcome news for both Springboks and Tigers supporters.