International prop Dan Cole returns to the Leicester Tigers squad for Sunday's LV= Cup match against Sale Sharks at Welford Road (kick-off 3.15pm).
Cole, 27, has not played since gaining his 45th England cap during the 2014 Six Nations but has been given the go-ahead to play again after recovering from surgery on a neck injury.
He starts among the replacements for Sunday but director of rugby Richard Cockerill says he will gain some game-time in the second round of this season’s knockout competition.
Freddie Burns, Miles Benjamin, Adam Thompstone and captain Sam Harrison provide experience in the Tigers backline as Cockerill rotates the squad.
In the forwards there is a first start for Academy lock Joe Maksymiw and a first start for No8 Ed Milne after making his debut from the bench in the win over London Irish last weekend.
Samoa international prop Aniseko Sio joins Cole among the replacements and there is a call-up for Academy back-rower Stone Priestley-Nangle for the first time after gaining ‘A’ League experience this season.
Sunday’s match is included in Tigers season tickets. For all other supporters, tickets are available now, including a print-at-home option for online sales. The ticket office is open 8.30am-5pm Friday, 9am-5pm Saturday and from 9am up to kick-off on Sunday. Or click here to book online any time.
Leicester Tigers (v Sale Sharks, Welford Road, Sunday 3.15pm)
15 Tommy Bell
14 Adam Thompstone
13 Matt Smith
12 Oli Bryant
11 Miles Benjamin
10 Freddie Burns
9 Sam Harrison (c)
1 Tom Bristow
2 Harry Thacker
3 Tiziano Pasquali
4 Joe Maksymiw
5 Sebastian De Chaves
6 Harry Wells
7 Charlie Beckett
8 Ed Milne
Replacements
16 Jake Farnworth
17 Riccardo Brugnara
18 Dan Cole
19 Aniseko Sio
20 Stone Priestley-Nangle
21 David Mele
22 Jack Roberts
23 Charlie Thacker
Sale Sharks: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Tom Arscott, 13 Andy Forsyth, 12 Sam James, 11 Phil MacKenzie, 10 Nick McLeod, 9 Nathan Fowles; 1 Eifion Lewis Roberts, 2 Marc Jones, 3 Ross Harrison, 4 Andrei Ostrikov, 5 Michael Paterson, 6 Dan Braid (c), 7 David Seymour, 8 Josh Beaumont
Replacements: 16 Cameron Neild, 17 Darren Fearn, 18 James Flynn, 19 Magnus Lund, 20 Andy Hughes, 21 Chris Cusiter, 22 Joe Ford, 23 Charlie Ingall
Cole, 27, has not played since gaining his 45th England cap during the 2014 Six Nations but has been given the go-ahead to play again after recovering from surgery on a neck injury.
He starts among the replacements for Sunday but director of rugby Richard Cockerill says he will gain some game-time in the second round of this season’s knockout competition.
Freddie Burns, Miles Benjamin, Adam Thompstone and captain Sam Harrison provide experience in the Tigers backline as Cockerill rotates the squad.
In the forwards there is a first start for Academy lock Joe Maksymiw and a first start for No8 Ed Milne after making his debut from the bench in the win over London Irish last weekend.
Samoa international prop Aniseko Sio joins Cole among the replacements and there is a call-up for Academy back-rower Stone Priestley-Nangle for the first time after gaining ‘A’ League experience this season.
Sunday’s match is included in Tigers season tickets. For all other supporters, tickets are available now, including a print-at-home option for online sales. The ticket office is open 8.30am-5pm Friday, 9am-5pm Saturday and from 9am up to kick-off on Sunday. Or click here to book online any time.
Leicester Tigers (v Sale Sharks, Welford Road, Sunday 3.15pm)
15 Tommy Bell
14 Adam Thompstone
13 Matt Smith
12 Oli Bryant
11 Miles Benjamin
10 Freddie Burns
9 Sam Harrison (c)
1 Tom Bristow
2 Harry Thacker
3 Tiziano Pasquali
4 Joe Maksymiw
5 Sebastian De Chaves
6 Harry Wells
7 Charlie Beckett
8 Ed Milne
Replacements
16 Jake Farnworth
17 Riccardo Brugnara
18 Dan Cole
19 Aniseko Sio
20 Stone Priestley-Nangle
21 David Mele
22 Jack Roberts
23 Charlie Thacker
Sale Sharks: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Tom Arscott, 13 Andy Forsyth, 12 Sam James, 11 Phil MacKenzie, 10 Nick McLeod, 9 Nathan Fowles; 1 Eifion Lewis Roberts, 2 Marc Jones, 3 Ross Harrison, 4 Andrei Ostrikov, 5 Michael Paterson, 6 Dan Braid (c), 7 David Seymour, 8 Josh Beaumont
Replacements: 16 Cameron Neild, 17 Darren Fearn, 18 James Flynn, 19 Magnus Lund, 20 Andy Hughes, 21 Chris Cusiter, 22 Joe Ford, 23 Charlie Ingall
