Leicester Tigers will field a new-look front row for their opening Guinness Premiership game of the season against Sale Sharks on Sunday (kick-off 4pm). New signing Martin Castrogiovanni will make his Premiership debut at tighthead prop, with fellow Italy international Alex Moreno on the other side of the scrum and England's George Chuter at hooker.

James Hamilton gets the nod to partner Ben Kay in the second row, while Louis Deacon is in the back row alongside Shane Jennings and captain Martin Corry.

England duo Harry Ellis and Andy Goode are at half-back, with Matt Cornwell coming into the centres alongside Daryl Gibson. Tom Varndell and Geordan Murphy are on the wings, with Members' Player of the Year award winner Sam Vesty at full-back.

Henry Tuilagi and Seru Rabeni return from lengthy injury absences to claim a place on the bench, which also features British & Irish Lions prop Julian White and young back rower Tom Croft who has impressed in pre-season.

Leicester Tigers team v Sale Sharks, Sunday September 3:

15 Sam Vesty
14 Geordan Murphy
13 Matt Cornwell
12 Daryl Gibson
11 Tom Varndell
10 Andy Goode
9 Harry Ellis
1 Alex Moreno
2 George Chuter
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
4 Ben Kay
5 James Hamilton
6 Louis Deacon
7 Shane Jennings
8 Martin Corry (captain)

Replacements:

16 James Buckland
17 Julian White
18 Tom Croft
19 Henry Tuilagi
20 Scott Bemand
21 Dan Hipkiss
22 Seru Rabeni