Tigers hooker Hawkins makes his first start of the season alongside Boris Stankovich and Fraser Balmain in the front row, while Deacon will captain the team on his return from a hand injury.
Scrum-half Micky Young starts for the first time on home ground this season, and summer signing Dan Bowden returns to the backline against his former club. Mathew Tait continues his return from a lengthy injury absence with another start at full-back.
Teenage wing Henry Purdy, who was included in the starting line-up for the opening round against Saracens last Friday in his first senior appearance for the club, is included among the replacements.
Tigers are the LV= Cup holders after lifting the trophy last season, but lost the opening match in their defence of the title against Saracens at Bedford last week.
Tickets for Sunday’s game are available now from the Tiger ticket office. Call in at Welford Road or phone the ticket hotline on 0844 856 1880 (open until 5pm Friday, 9am-5pm Saturday and from 9am up to kick-off on Sunday. Or book online any time at www.leicestertigers.com
Leicester Tigers (vs London Irish, Welford Road, Sunday 3pm)
15 Mathew Tait
14 Andy Forsyth
13 Matt Smith
12 Dan Bowden
11 Alex Lewington
10 George Ford
9 Micky Young
1 Boris Stankovich
2 Rob Hawkins
3 Fraser Balmain
4 Rob Andrew
5 Ed Slater
6 Michael Noone
7 Richard Thorpe
8 Brett Deacon (c)
Replacements
16 Jimmy Stevens
17 Jonny Harris
18 Kieran Brookes
19 Joe Cain
20 Jordan Crane
21 Sam Harrison
22 Andrew Symons
23 Henry Purdy
London Irish: 15 Anthony Watson; 14 Topsy Ojo; 13 Jonathan Joseph; 12 Shane Geraghty; 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau; 10 Ian Humphreys; 9 Darren Allinson; 1 Alex Corbisiero; 2 Scott Lawson; 3 Leo Halavatau; 4 George Skivington; 5 Matt Garvey; 6 Declan Danaher (c); 7 Jamie Gibson; 8 Alex Gray
Replacements: 16 Brian Blaney; 17 Max Lahiff; 18 Cai Griffiths; 19 Bryn Evans; 20 Chris Hala’ufia; 21 Tom Homer; 22 Steven Shingler; 23 Finlay Barnham
