Leicester Tigers have named their matchday squad for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup fixture at 8pm against Ulster Rugby at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
Fullback Freddie Steward will make his 100th Tigers appearance in the crucial round three clash, the England international having come through Leicester’s academy.
Izaia Perese makes his return to action with fellow Australian Jed Holloway earning his first start for the club at lock.
The final change sees Finn Carnduff selected for his first appearance of the season after making his successful return to play following an injury in early October.
Speaking to media ahead of the game, Leicester Tigers head coach Michael Cheika said: “It’s going to be a tough battle for us.”
“This is Europe. Realistically every game is a final, is a qualification match.
“We’re looking forward to it.”
STARTING XV
15 Freddie Steward [99]
14 Josh Bassett [22]
13 Izaia Perese [8]
12 Solomone Kata [29]
11 Ollie Hassell-Collins [35]
10 Handré Pollard [41]
9 Jack van Poortvliet [84]
1 Nicky Smith [11]
2 Julián Montoya (C) [66]
3 Joe Heyes [152]
4 Cameron Henderson [51]
5 Jed Holloway [5]
6 Finn Carnduff [14]
7 Tommy Reffell [125]
8 Olly Cracknell [54]
REPLACEMENTS
16 Charlie Clare [107]
17 James Whitcombe [59]
18 Dan Cole [332]
19 Harry Wells [208]
20 Emeka Ilione [32]
21 Ben Youngs [325]
22 Jamie Shillcock [39]
23 Joseph Woodward [19]
Commentary
FULL TIME
Tigers win and advance to the the knockout stages of the Investec Champions Cup.
Sub for Leicester
Jimmy Whitcombe on for Nicky Smith
SUBS
Host of changes to let you know about.
Shillcock for Pollard
Youngs for van Poortvliet
Cole for Heyes
Ilione for Carnduff
CONVERSION | SHILLCOCK
Shilly on for Polly and he nails his first attempt.
TRY | TIGERS | PERESE
Perese picks up a loose ball and shows impressive speed to score.
CONVERSION | STEWARD
Freddie Steward nails the conversion with Pollard down after being hit late.
TRY | TIGERS | BASSETT
It's a BASS-TRICK! Josh Bassett get's his third of the night. Pollard is hit off the ball, but Tigers keep the pressure on and Bassett is on-hand to score.
60
Ulster defence holds firm
Tigers can't quite find a fifth try.
58
On the money
Pollard kicks a penalty RIGHT into the corner. Lineout 5 metres from the line.
CONVERSION | TIGERS | POLLARD
Polly adds the simple extras.
TRY | TIGERS | HASSELL-COLLINS
It's a night for the boys out-wide. Forwards earned the advantage, Steward went through a gap, and his offload to Hassell-Collins was perfect. OHC had plenty to do, and made it look slick.
TRY | TIGERS | HASSELL-COLLINS
Almost the exact same as the first half, this time on Hassell-Collins' wing. Steward jinks, and again finds the perfect pass. Great try.
Pollard's conversion goes wide.
41
Back Underway
The action resumes at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
HALF TIME
Tigers take a slender lead into the break.
TRY | TIGERS | BASSETT
Bass gets a brace just before the break. Same action. Forwards tucked it up the jumper, and Steward found Bassett on his wing to score. Pollard's conversion doesn't find the mark this time.
39
To the corner
With time just about up, Tigers go to the corner. Big opportunity before the break.
33
Big turnover
Ulster looked like they were in for a second but Tommy Reffell was on the scene and came up with the turnover.
30
Scrappy period in the game
Errors from both sides. Ulster with a scrum inside Tigers half.
Sub | Ulster
Sending our best wishes to Ulster fullback Ethan McIlroy who is replaced by Rory Telfer with an injury.
CONVERSION | POLLARD
Polly adds the extras.
TRY | TIGERS | BASSETT
Bassett has his try. Tigers battered down Ulster's door and the winger finishes after a brilliant pass from Solomone Kata.
Conversion | Ulster
Doak makes it 10-0.
Try | Ulster
Ball gets lost in the fog and visitors take full advantage. Timoney gets the put down.
Doak makes it 3-0 to the visitors.
5
So close
Home side go close with Bassett. Winger just stumbled at the last hurdle and couldn't quite get over the line.
4
50-22
Brilliant work from Hassell-Collins down the left flank and his boot gives Tigers a lineout.
We're underway at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
-10
10 to go
The teams are in. Not long to go now.
-20
Team News
No changes to either team.
-20
20 minutes to go
There's just 20 minutes to go until Leicester Tigers take on Ulster in the Investec Champions Cup.
Take your seats, switch on Premier Sports or stick with us here, it's almost time for rugby!