England U-19 stars Tom Youngs and Ollie Dodge will make their first team debuts when Tigers face Northampton Saints at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday (kick-off 3pm). Youngs starts at outside centre, with Dodge on the left wing, as Pat Howard puts his faith in youth for the final EDF Energy Cup group match.
"Henry Tuilagi got on the pitch for a little while in the A League on Monday night and is in great spirits. He's had a long time out since his injury but his enthusiasm is infectious. His presence does lift the side and I'm really looking forward to seeing him lay down a challenge to all the other back-row players who have all been playing very, very well. Whenever Henry lays down a challenge, it is always interesting."
Tigers vs Northampton Saints
15. Matt Smith
14. Alesana Tuilagi
13. Tom Youngs
12. Matt Cornwell (captain)
11. Ollie Dodge
10. Ian Humphreys
9. Frank Murphy
1. Michael Holford
Following two bonus-point victories over Newport Gwent Dragons and Worcester Warriors, Howard's side are already assured of a place in the last four of the Anglo-Welsh competition.
Fellow academy player Ben Pienaar earns a place on the bench, while 21-year-old full back Matt Smith makes his first competitive start.
Henry Tuilagi continues his comeback from injury as he and brother Alesana begin their first matches of the season, with Scotland U-21 prop Dave Young also making his first start of the 2006/07 campaign.
After impressive displays against London Irish and London Wasps, Ian Humphreys continues in the no.10 shirt, with fellow Irishman Frank Murphy partnering him at half-back.
Jordan Crane will be looking to build on a dominant performance at Adams Park, as he joins Luke Abraham and Tuliagi in the back row.
Having captained Tigers Development to two successive Guinness A League triumphs, Matt Cornwell takes over leadership of the first team from Leo Cullen, who starts alongside new Scottish international James Hamilton in the second row.
Despite knowing that his squad are guaranteed a Millennium Stadium semi-final, Howard is looking for another confident showing in this East Midlands derby.
"I'm looking for massive competitive edge from the team," said Howard. "I'm looking for that killer attitude to say that, even when there is nothing riding on the game in terms of cup progress or league points, we can perform. I'm also looking for individual performances, seeing guys lay down a marker to players that have been playing in the last month in the internationals or in the first team. I see this game as a fantastic opportunity for the guys to show what they can do.
Fellow academy player Ben Pienaar earns a place on the bench, while 21-year-old full back Matt Smith makes his first competitive start.
Henry Tuilagi continues his comeback from injury as he and brother Alesana begin their first matches of the season, with Scotland U-21 prop Dave Young also making his first start of the 2006/07 campaign.
After impressive displays against London Irish and London Wasps, Ian Humphreys continues in the no.10 shirt, with fellow Irishman Frank Murphy partnering him at half-back.
Jordan Crane will be looking to build on a dominant performance at Adams Park, as he joins Luke Abraham and Tuliagi in the back row.
Having captained Tigers Development to two successive Guinness A League triumphs, Matt Cornwell takes over leadership of the first team from Leo Cullen, who starts alongside new Scottish international James Hamilton in the second row.
Despite knowing that his squad are guaranteed a Millennium Stadium semi-final, Howard is looking for another confident showing in this East Midlands derby.
"I'm looking for massive competitive edge from the team," said Howard. "I'm looking for that killer attitude to say that, even when there is nothing riding on the game in terms of cup progress or league points, we can perform. I'm also looking for individual performances, seeing guys lay down a marker to players that have been playing in the last month in the internationals or in the first team. I see this game as a fantastic opportunity for the guys to show what they can do.
"We got 10 points from our first two games and that put us into the semi-finals with a game to spare, but we don't take any game lightly against Northampton so we're going there to try to win.
"Henry Tuilagi got on the pitch for a little while in the A League on Monday night and is in great spirits. He's had a long time out since his injury but his enthusiasm is infectious. His presence does lift the side and I'm really looking forward to seeing him lay down a challenge to all the other back-row players who have all been playing very, very well. Whenever Henry lays down a challenge, it is always interesting."
Tigers vs Northampton Saints
15. Matt Smith
14. Alesana Tuilagi
13. Tom Youngs
12. Matt Cornwell (captain)
11. Ollie Dodge
10. Ian Humphreys
9. Frank Murphy
1. Michael Holford
2. Gavin Hickie
3. Dave Young
3. Dave Young
4. Leo Cullen
5. James Hamilton
5. James Hamilton
6. Henry Tuliagi
7. Luke Abraham
7. Luke Abraham
8. Jordan Crane
Replacements
Replacements
16. James Buckland
17. Alex Moreno
18. Louis Deacon
19. Ben Pienaar
20. Scott Bemand
21. Dan Hipkiss
22. Johne Murphy
17. Alex Moreno
18. Louis Deacon
19. Ben Pienaar
20. Scott Bemand
21. Dan Hipkiss
22. Johne Murphy
