England international Ollie Smith makes his comeback from injury in the Leicester Tigers starting XV for the trip to face London Irish at the Madejski Stadium on Boxing Day (kick-off 3pm). The British & Irish Lions tourist suffered knee ligament damage in the Heineken Cup win over Cardiff Blues at the Millennium Stadium in October, but returns on Tuesday as Pat Howard makes changes in all 15 positions following a 43-15 win over Bristol last Friday evening which took Tigers to the top of the table.
"We have been preparing for this period since August and we always knew how hard it would be," said Howard. "It's a question of getting the right balance between finding a first and second team and putting out two strong, competitive sides."
With Daryl Gibson ruled out by an Achilles injury, Smith will be partnered in midfield by Guinness Premiership debutant Tom Youngs, with Alesana Tuilagi making a first league start of the season on one wing and Johne Murphy on the opposite flank. Geordan Murphy starts at full-back.
England internationals Harry Ellis and Andy Goode return at half-back, while captain Martin Corry is restored to the back row alongside Brett Deacon and Lewis Moody. Ben Kay partners James Hamilton in the second row, behind Alex Moreno, James Buckland and Martin Castrogiovanni.
George Chuter, Leo Cullen and Sam Vesty are all on the bench after starting Friday's win over Bristol, while Tom Croft, Frank Murphy and Paul Burke retain their places among the replacements.
Leicester Tigers
15 Geordan Murphy
14 Alesana Tuilagi
13 Tom Youngs
12 Ollie Smith
11 Johne Murphy
10 Andy Goode
9 Harry Ellis
1 Alejandro Moreno
2 James Buckland
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
4 James Hamilton
5 Ben Kay
6 Brett Deacon
7 Lewis Moody
8 Martin Corry (capt)
"We have been preparing for this period since August and we always knew how hard it would be," said Howard. "It's a question of getting the right balance between finding a first and second team and putting out two strong, competitive sides."
With Daryl Gibson ruled out by an Achilles injury, Smith will be partnered in midfield by Guinness Premiership debutant Tom Youngs, with Alesana Tuilagi making a first league start of the season on one wing and Johne Murphy on the opposite flank. Geordan Murphy starts at full-back.
England internationals Harry Ellis and Andy Goode return at half-back, while captain Martin Corry is restored to the back row alongside Brett Deacon and Lewis Moody. Ben Kay partners James Hamilton in the second row, behind Alex Moreno, James Buckland and Martin Castrogiovanni.
George Chuter, Leo Cullen and Sam Vesty are all on the bench after starting Friday's win over Bristol, while Tom Croft, Frank Murphy and Paul Burke retain their places among the replacements.
Leicester Tigers
15 Geordan Murphy
14 Alesana Tuilagi
13 Tom Youngs
12 Ollie Smith
11 Johne Murphy
10 Andy Goode
9 Harry Ellis
1 Alejandro Moreno
2 James Buckland
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
4 James Hamilton
5 Ben Kay
6 Brett Deacon
7 Lewis Moody
8 Martin Corry (capt)
Replacements
16 George Chuter
17 Michael Holford
18 Leo Cullen
19 Tom Croft
20 Frank Murphy
21 Paul Burke
22 Sam Vesty
