Back at Welford Road for big clash
Neil Back has named his squad, including 19-year-old flyhalf Joe Ford, for his big return to Welford Road this weekend as his troops tackle the Tigers.
Leicester, the home for back and Carnegie Director of Rugby Andy Key for many years, will welcome more than just a couple of familiar faces this weekend with Seru Rabeni and Marco Wentzel also returning to the club where they made their names in English rugby.
Ford’s inclusion on the bench is a real statement of intent from Back. The young star, whose 16 year-old brother is an Academy star at Leicester, could make his Guinness Premiership debut this Saturday.
Ford made a man of the match winning debut performance in the LV= Cup against Leicester three weeks ago.
Leeds Carnegie have made just one change to the starting line up with Rhys Oakley replacing To’oala at No.8.
Leicester meanwhile have welcomes back a couple stars of their own. Toby Flood will make his first start of the season while Alesana Tuilagi starts on the bench.
England international Flood suffered an Achilles injury in the Heineken Cup semifinal against Cardiff Blues in May but he has proved his fitness in two appearances as a replacement in the last fortnight.
Matt Smith comes in on the wing in place of Johne Murphy who is on international duty with Ireland A as the only change to backline following last Friday’s game at Gloucester.
England internationals Lewis Moody and Tom Croft return to the Tigers forward pack, and George Chuter starts at hooker.
Tuilagi is included in the matchday squad for the first time this season after his recovery from a foot injury.
Props Marcos Ayerza and Martin Castrogiovanni do not return from international duty until next weekend, while Tigers are without Lucas Amorosino, Richard Blaze, Louis Deacon, Harry Ellis, Dan Hipkiss, Geordan Murphy, Craig Newby, Billy Twelvetrees, Julian White and Ben Woods due to injury.
The Teams
Leicester Tigers: 15 Scott Hamilton, 14 Lote Tuqiri, 13 Anthony Allen, 12 Aaron Mauger (c), 11 Matt Smith, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Jordan Crane, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Tom Croft, 5 Ben Kay, 4 Geoff Parling, 3 Dan Cole, 2 George Chuter, 1 Boris Stankovich
Replacements: 16 Joe Duffey, 17 Robbie Harris, 18 Jonny Harris, 19 Calum Green, 20 Brett Deacon, 21 James Grindal, 22 Jeremy Staunton, 23 Alesana Tuilagi
Leeds Carnegie: 15 Leigh Hinton, 14 Richard Welding, 13 Seru Rabeni, 12 Scott Barrow, 11 Lee Blackett, 10 Ceiron Thomas, 9 Andy Gomarsall, 8 Rhys Oakley, 7 Calum Clark, 6 Kearnan Myall,
5 Marco Wentzel (captain), 4 Erik Lund, 3 Pete Bucknall, 2 Vili Ma’asi, 1 Gareth Hardy
Replacements: 16 Phil Nilsen, 17 Tommy McGee, 18 Phil Swainston, 19 Tom Denton, 20 Jon Pendlebury, 21 Scott Mathie, 22 Joe Ford, 23 Jonny Hepworth
Date: Saturday, November 28
Venue: Welford Road
Time: 15:00 (15:00 GMT)
Referee: JP Doyle
Assistant referees: Robin Goodliffe, Ken Stewart
TMO: Brian Abrahams
