Leicester Tigers include new signing Johnny McPhillips and eight academy graduates in the squad for the Premiership Rugby Sevens this weekend.
Former Ulster fly-half McPhillips is the first of the summer arrivals to run out in Tigers colours as Northampton Saints host the season’s curtain-raiser over Friday and Saturday.
McPhillips, 22, is joined by seven members of the club’s development squad – all part of the academy’s Under-18 League championship-winning sides in recent seasons – and former academy scrum-half Will Findlay.
Cameron Jordan, Henri Lavin, Taylor Gough are entering their second season in the development squad, while Ollie Ashworth, Jonny Law, Joe Browning, Leo Gilliland and Freddie Steward all step up in 2019/20.
They are joined by Toby Smith and Will Affleck who guest in a Tigers squad coached by Matt Smith and David Mélé this weekend.
All 12 Premiership clubs are involved over two days of competition at Franklin’s Gardens, with action from 5.30pm on Friday. Tigers face Wasps at 7.23pm and Bath Rugby (8.53pm). The teams return for the knockout stages and finals on Saturday with another four hours of matches scheduled from 2.30pm.
Tigers will wear the club’s new fluoro-red alternate kit throughout the weekend.
Tickets are available now from the Saints ticket office, price £20 adults/£8 juniors for the whole weekend or £12/£5 for a single day.
Leicester Tigers squad for Premiership Sevens
1 Henri Lavin
2 Taylor Gough
3 Ollie Ashworth
4 Jonny Law
5 Will Findlay
6 Joe Browning
7 Leo Gilliland
8 Freddie Steward
9 Johnny McPhillips (c)
10 Toby Smith
11 Will Affleck
12 Cameron Jordan (replacement for Levi Roper who was initially announced)
Commentary
FULL-TIME!
Tigers come up against a strong Wasps side, who secure their second victory of the evening to go through to the quarter finals. [5-48]
Half-time
A second for Odogwu off the back of a Wasps scrum, and that's half-time. [5-17]
KICK OFF!
Johnny McPhillips boots the ball into the sky and we're underway against Wasps.