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Match report | Tigers young guns come up short at Worcester

A Worcester Warriors side peppered with Premiership performers proved too strong for Leicester Tigers’ young guns in the first hit-out of the new season in the Premiership Rugby Cup on Saturday.

The Worcester side wrapped up the bonus-point before the break, with tries from Perry Humphreys, Isaac Miller, Caleb Montgomery and Alex Hearle putting the home side in control despite three Tom Hardwick penalties and a score for Andy Forsyth.

Three more Warriors scores in the second half put the game to bed, though there would be a late consolation when Johnny McPhillips crossed for his first try in Tigers colours on the stroke of full time.

Six of the Tigers starting XV marked their senior debuts at Sixways, with Tigers Academy graduates Sam Costelow, Jack van Poortvliet, George Martin and Charlie Clare plus new arrival Joe Thomas and loan signing Ifereimi Boladau all getting a first run-out in Tigers colours.

Former Tigers lock Graham Kitchener lined up against his previous club from the off, with a start in a Warriors side formed of largely first-choice players.

Worcester fly-half Jono Lance hoisted the ball deep into the Tigers half to start proceedings, with Geordan Murphy’s men absorbing the early pressure and winning a kickable penalty on the first trip into the home half, which Tom Hardwick duly claimed.

Lance hit back with a penalty of his own with six minutes gone to take the scores to three-apiece, but Worcester mis-cued Costelow’s testing restart and Tigers won the ball back just metres from the line through a Tommy Reffell steal.

While Sam Aspland-Robinson was unable to claim Hardwick’s cheeky chip-kick for the game’s first try, referee Christophe Ridley brought the teams back for a Worcester offence on the floor. Inside centre Hardwick added three more points.

The home response was immediate, with Worcester getting the ball out quickly from a scrum to put winger Perry Humphreys through a gap down the middle of the pitch for a score under the posts, which Lance converted.

But the visitors wouldn’t have any of it, stealing the ball after the lineout to see Tommy Reffell burst through. The Welshman fed loanee Andy Forsyth to run in for Leicester’s first score. Hardwick drilled the ball through the uprights to nudge Tigers into a three-point lead, at 13 points to 10.

With a quarter of the game gone – and after a brief water stoppage in the hot September sun – Worcester had a throw-in on halfway to get back into the game, which Kitchener claimed. The Warriors put the ball through the hands and, despite some crunching tackles in the Tigers backfield, hooker Isaac Miller crashed over for a converted score on the left.

Tigers No8 Boladau took the game by the scruff of the neck on the restart with a heavy-duty carry through the guts of the Worcester defence, though Tigers were unable to recycle the ball quick enough to get the ball over the line.

They had the momentum, though, and just a few phases later hooker Clare put skipper Harry Wells through a gap in exactly the same area of the pitch. While the second-rower managed to offload to Van Poortvliet, the Worcester defence scrambled back in the nick of time.

Instead, the home side worked the ball from one wing back to the other following a lineout to put back-rower Caleb Montgomery over for another home score. Lance’s conversion took the score to 24-13.

There was time for one more lung-busting break down the field for Tigers, with the final pass out to Joe Thomas on the left seemingly knocked forward by a Worcester hand.

Warriors reset a few phases later, and while Tigers’ young guns bravely disrupted the ball, replacement back Alex Hearle finished off a side-to-side attack to claim the bonus-point try on the stroke of half time. Another Lance kick took the score to 31-13 at the break.

Leicester pinned the home side back into their own half from the off in the second period, and settled for another three from Hardwick’s boot for the first points of the half.

Worcester hit back through their backs – releasing Beck for a second try in the corner – and while Tigers worked the ball up to the try line following the restart, the final lineout went awry.

Some good work on the floor from Tigers slowed the game down for the next 10 minutes or so, though the men in fluoro-red were unable to capitalise.

Instead, it would be the home side who finished off the next score, with replacement prop Farai Mudariki bundling over from the lineout. The conversion from full-back Scott van Breda took the score to 43-16, before replacements Johnny McPhillips and Keston Lines both joined the field for their senior club debuts.

Heavy defensive work from the Tigers pack kept Worcester out for the next quarter, and the home side would break their half-century in unusual fashion as Ridley signaled for a penalty try as the ball bobbled dead.

They added another with two minutes to go, when replacement fly-half Jamie Shillcock burst through some tired Tigers legs for their final score.

There would be a late consolation for Tigers, when No22 McPhillips cut through for a first senior try in club colours. Hardwick’s full-time conversion took the final score to 57-23.

Match Details

HT ScoreHalf Time Score

WOR 31-13 LEI

FT ScoreFull Time Score

WOR 57-23 LEI

Attendance

6,037

Referee

Christophe Ridley

Worcester Warriors
Worcester Warriors
57

Full Time

Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
23
Worcester Warriors
P
T
C
T
C
T
C
T
C
T
T
C
T
C
KOHTFT
Leicester Tigers
P
P
T
C
P
T
C

Match Stats

Worcester Warriors
Leicester Tigers
Possession
80%
20%
Penalties Conceded
8
9
Yellow Cards
0
0
Red Cards
0
0
Tackles Won
139/168 83%
79/107 74%
Scrums Won
7/9 78%
6/6 100%
Lineouts Won
12/14 86%
7/12 58%

Player Stats

Worcester Warriors
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
TCDP
15Freddie Steward
14Sam Aspland-Robinson
13Joe Thomas
122C3P
111T
10Sam Costelow
9Jack van Poortvliet
1Facundo Gigena
2Charlie Clare
3Gaston Cortes
4George Martin
5Harry Wells
6Sam Lewis
7Tommy Reffell
8
16Tatafu Polota-Nau
17
18Joe Heyes
19Cameron Jordan
20Thom Smith
21Jonny Law
221T
23George Worth

Commentary

80

Travelling TigersFamily

Thank you to all the travelling fans who joined us for our first match of the 2019/20 season here at Worcester today and we hope to see you back at Welford Road for the first home game of the season next Friday night against Exeter Chiefs. 

And that's that.

The conversion is the final action of the match and the referee blows his whistle to end the game 57-23. 

TIGERS CONVERSION

Tigers add the final points of the match as Tom Hardwick lands the conversion. 

TIGERS TRY

It's one end of the pitch to the other from the scrum as Worcester pass wide and chip up field.

Worth collects and runs it back into Worcesters half, offloading to Forsyth, who offloads to Polota-Nau who finds Boladau in some space and getting into the Worcester 22 round the defenders to Johnny McPhillips who breaks the last ditch tackles to run in under the posts. 

78

Restart ball

Tigers compete for the ball at the restart but the referee blows his whistle as the ball is caught in the breakdown and Worcester have a scrum just outside their 22. 

WORCESTER CONVERSION

Scott van Breda adds the conversion for Worcester to make it 57-16. 

WORCESTER TRY

Worcester take the ball at the restart and work the ball up the field for Jamie Shillcock to find his way over the tryline. 

74

WORCESTER TRY

Tigers get the ball out of the scrum and kick it up field but Worcester find some space to run the ball back into Tigers half.

There is a chip ahead and as the players all try to get back to collect the ball, the ball goes loose but the referee runs straight under the posts for a penalty try. 

72

Worcesters with the ball

Tigers are penalised at the lineout and kick to the corner for another lineout.

Tigers disrupt the driving maul and Worcester knock-on for a Tigers scrum inside our 22. 

70

Tigers in Worcester Territory

It is messy but Worcester kick clear from the scrum and Tigers keep the ball, running it back at Worcester in their 22 building some phases before Worcester turnover and chip ahead down field. 

Freddie Steward collects and kicks clear for a Worcester lineout outside our 22. 

Tigers replacement

Cameron Jordan replaces George Martin. 

68

Tigers loose ball

Tigers get the ball at the lineout but it goes loose and the referee calls a knock-on for a Worcester scrum inside their 22. 

67

Tigers go well in the scrum

Tigers look good at the scrum, firstly winning a free-kick and opting to scrum again before winning a full penalty in the next scrum and kick to touch for the lineout in the Worcester 22. 

66

Almost another break

TIgers take advantage of a loose ball by Worcester at the lineout and Boladau chips ahead almost collecting the ball again after a fortunate bounce but not fortunate enough and his fingertips knock the ball on for a Worcester scrum on their 10 metre line. 

Tigers Replacements

Keston Lines and Jonny Law replace Facundo Gigena and Jack van Poortvliet. 

65

Tigers show good phases

Tigers build some phases in the Worcester 22 with some good running lines but a chip ahead is returned by Worcester  and finds touch in Tigers 22.

62

Mid-field action

More action from both sides in the middle of the pitch from the restart, Tigers looking to build phases but the ball goes loose and Worcester get the scrum.

Tigers win a penalty at the scrum and kick for a lineout on the Worcester 10 metre line. 

WORCESTER CONVERSION

Scott van Breda adds the conversion to make it 43-16. 

WORCESTER TRY

Worcester with the ball and running it from one side of the pitch to the other and up into the Tigers 22 from the lineout before and offload to Farai Mudariki breaks his way over the tryline. 

Tigers Supstitutions

Joe Heyes and Johnny McPhillips replace Gaston Cortes and Sam Costelow. 

58

Another Tigers Break

It's a beautiful break at the lineout as Polota-Nau gets the ball and breaks his way through the defence into the Worcester 22 but the referee blows for holding on and Worcester get the ball, kicking for another lineout on halfway. 

57

WOrcester Ball

Worcester win a penalty at the scrum and kick to touch for a lineout just inside their half. 

Tigers Replacements

Thom Smith and Tatafu Polota-Nau replace Sam Lewis and Charlie Clare. 

55

Nice Break

Tigers show good skill from the lineout as Andy Forsyth gets the ball into space and breaks a tackle to get into the Worcester 22 and Tigers are on the attack.

The referee penalises Tigers at the breakdown and Worcester have the scrum. 

54

Good Rugby on show

The ball goes long at the lineout and Worcester run it out of the 22 but Tigers hold on in defence and win back the ball, Tigers then have the chance to run the ball and some kicks from both sides sees the ball go into touch for a Tigers lineout in the Worcester half. 

52

Worcester on the attack

Worcester put on some phases and there is a break down the far win but the ball goes loose into touch.

Tigers win a free kick and kick up field, Worcester collect and try to run it out of their half but are penalised at the breakdown, Hardwick kicks for a lineout in Worcesters 22. 

Worcester Replacements

Worcester bring on their whole bench as replacements. 

49

Lineout Steal

Tigers with the lineout in the corner but Worcester make a steal and win a penalty in the maul. 

Worcester kick to touch for a lineout on their 10 metre line. 

48

Tigers Back in the Attack

Tigers look good with the ball and put on some phases to build an attack in the Worcester 22, getting up to the Worcester tryline before Worcester are penalised at the breakdown.

Hardwick kicks to the corner for a Tigers lineout. 

47

Conversion Missed

Jono Lance with his first miss of the day is just wide with the conversion so the score stays 36-16. 

WORCESTER TRY

Some good rugby played across the middle of the pitch but there is a loose pass and Worcester are quick to react.

Ted Hill takes a pass into space and makes a break into Tigers 22 before the offload is shipped out wide to Ashely Beck to score in the corner. 

TIGERS PENALTY

Tom Hardwick lands the conversion to add to Tigers score and make it 31-16. 

42

Tigers Ball

Tigers win a penalty at the scrum and kick for the lineout on the Worcester 22.

Tigers go for a long throw at the lineout and get it out into the midfield where Worcester are penalised at the breakdown. Hardwick points to the posts. 

41

EArly Pressure from Tigers

Tigers with the early pressure as an unforced error by Worcester sees the ball knocked-on as they are clearing their 22 for a Tigers scrum on the Worcester 10 metre line. 

TIGERS KICK-OFF SECOND HALF

Sam Costelow gets us underway for the second-half here at Worcester. 

THAT'S HALF-TIME

The converison is the last action of the half as the referee blows the half-time whistle. 

WORCESTER CONVERSION

Jono Lance makes no mistake with the conversion to make it 31-13. 

WORCESTER TRY

Tigers make a valiant effort as Tigers clearing kick from the scrum is run back at them.

The ball is again run from wing to wing and stretches the Tigers defence with the offloads in the far corner proving one too many and Alex Hearle gets over on the far side of the pitch. 

WOrcester Replacement

Dean Hammond is replaced by Alex Hearle. 

37

One tryline to the other

As Tigers are building the phases the balls goes loose in a pass and Tigers are pushed back to the 22 line.

Worcester makes a turnover and the ball is run out to the wing where Chris Pennell chips ahead, Freddie Steward watches the ball over the dead ball line to see Tigers get a scrum outside our 22. 

35

Tigers Phases

Tigers work the ball up to the Worcester tryline and build phases as they try to get over the line. 

35

Tigers showing some fight

Tigers get the ball at the restart and some good hands gets the ball out wide and Tigers attacking in the Worcester 22. 

Tigers Replacement

Sam Aspland-Robinson has been replaced by George Worth. 

WORCESTER CONVERSION

Jono Lance adds the extras to make it 24-13. 

WORCESTER TRY

Worcester show good running rugby from the lineout and work the ball from one wing to the other before finding the space for Caleb Montgomery to power over the tryline. 

30

Strong Driving Maul

Worcester have a strong driving maul from the lineout and Tigers are penalised as they get to halfway. 

Worcester kick to touch for a lineout outisde Tigers 22. 

29

Showing good defence

Tigers show good defence as Worcester look to run the ball from the lineout, a loose ball is knocked-on by Worcester and Tigers chip it ahead for a lineout in Tigers 22. 

27

It's a bit messy

It's end to end and messy ball as Tigers take a loose ball and as the ball goes wide a great pass to Harry Wells sees him in space and up into the Worcester 22. 

There's an offload to Jack Van Poortvliet to keep the action going but the referee penalises Tigers for holding onto the ball. Worcester kick for the lineout on their 10 metre line. 

25

Free Kick for Worcester

Worcester win a free kick at the scrum and kick up field, the ball goes straight into touch on Tigers 10 metre line. 

Tigers create a driving maul but the ball goes loose, knock-on and Worcester scrum. 

24

What a run!

Tigers recover a long throw at the lineout and the ball is passed out to Ifereimi Boladau who breaks from Tigers half up into the Worcester 22 but the referee calls a knock-on and Worcester scrum. 

22

Middle of the pitch

The action is all based around the middle of the pitch as there is some back and forth kicking.

Worcester chips ahead but Freddie Steward does well to recover and offload to Sam Costelow to kick clear. 

WORCESTER CONVERSION

Jono Lance with the conversion to make it 17-13 after 21 minutes. 

WORCESTER TRY

Worcester show good handling and offloads as they make a break through the Tigers defence and sees the ball get to to the hooker Isaac Miller to score. 

19

Kicked Clear

Tigers take the ball from the lineout and find touch on halfway as they kick the ball clear. 

18

TIgers Territory

It's all in Tigers half from the restart as Worcester look to put the pressure back on after the try.

Some kicks test both sides before Worcesters break on the wing sees the ball go into touch for a  Tigers lineout. 

TIGERS CONVERSION

Tom Hardwick adds the conversion to make it 10-13. 

TIGERS TRY

Tigers collect the ball and some good running from Freddie Steward gets Tigers going forward into Worcesters half.

The ball is brough back in field and Tommy Reffell breaks through the defence, offloads to Andy Forsyth who runs in to score under the posts. 

14

Lineout Steal

Some good rugby from Tigers at the restart, a good kick down into Worcester territory but they go quick and kick into touch further up field. 

Tigers lineout but the ball is stolen and Worcester kick ahead to put pressure on Tigers backline. 

WORCESTER CONVERSION

Jono Lance adds the extras for Worcester to make the score 10-6. 

WORCESTER TRY

Worcester are quick to get the ball out of the scrum and Perry Humphreys makes a break to run the ball in to score under the posts. 

10

Loose ball

It is loose ball at the restart as both teams go for the ball but Tigers are penalised for a knock-on and it is a Worcester scrum just outside the Tigers 22. 

TIGERS PENALTY

Tom Hardwick adds the penalty for Tigers to make the score 3-6. 

9

Good Idea

Tigers try a chip through and Sam Aspland-Robinson is almost through to get the ball but the balls goes loose. 

The referee calls us back for advantage and Tigers point to the posts. 

8

Turnovers for both teams

It's back and forth with possession from the restart as both teams win turnovers but it is Tigers with the ball and on the attack in Worcesters 22 after a great turnover from Tommy Reffell. 

WORCESTER PENALTY

Jono Lance adds the first points for Worcester as he lands the penalty to make scores level at 3-3. 

5

Worcester break

Worcester make a break at the lineout from centre Ashley Beck, Tigers bring him down but are penalised at the break down and Worcester points to the posts. 

4

Cross Field

Worcester take the lineout ball and try a chip ahead but Tigers recover and try a chip across field to Freddie Steward on the wing but goes straight into touch, Worcester lineout. 

3

Finding Touch

Tigers take the restart ball but Jack Van Poortvliet finds touch and we have the firsts lineout of the match. 

TIGERS PENALTY

First points of the match go to Tigers through the boot of Tom Hardwick who lands the penalty kick and makes it 0-3.

1

Good Start

We have early exchanges as the ball stays in play from the kick-off and both sides want to run the ball.

A charge down kick in Worcseter's half is recovered by Tigers who win a penalty at the breakdown. 

HERE WE GO!

Worcester's Jono Lance to kick us off here at Sixways! 

0

Ready for Kick-Off

The teams are back out on the pitch, Tigers lead out by today's captain Harry Wells and we ready for kick-off. 

0

Minutes to go...

We are just minutes away from kick-off as the teams finish their warm-ups and leave the pitch. 

0

Matchday Build-up

The teams are out on the pitch going through the warm-ups as the sun is shining down on everyone here at Worcester. 

0

2019/20 Season Kicks Off

It's finally here! It's the first matchday of the 2019/20 season as Tigers visit Worcester Warriors to kick-off the Premiership Rugby Cup.  


Opposition Lineup

Starting XV

15
Scott Van Breda
14
Perry Humphreys
13
12
Ryan Mills
11
Dean Hammond
10
Jono Lance
9
1
Ethan Waller
2
Isaac Miller
3
Conor Carey
4
James Scott
5
Graham Kitchener
6
Ted Hill
7
Caleb Montgomery
8
GJ van Velze

Replacements

16
Beck Cutting
17
Ryan Bower
18
19
20
Samuel Lewis
21
Gareth Simpson
22
Jamie Shillcock
23
Alex Hearle

Match preview | Tigers at Worcester

Figure image

Leicester Tigers kick off the new season with a trip to face Worcester Warriors in the first round of the Premiership Rugby Cup.

With the domestic campaign shifted backwards to make room for this year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan – where a total of nine Tigers will be representing their national teams – an opening block of four Cup fixtures will serve as precious preparation for Geordan Murphy’s men when the Gallagher Premiership rolls around in October.

These two teams have met four times previously in what has traditionally been seen as a development competition, with Tigers winning three and losing one.

Leicester have visited Sixways on 16 previous occasions in all competitions, winning 13 and losing three – and will make the short trip to the West Midlands again in four weeks’ time for their first league fixture.

In team news announced on Friday, Tigers include five players in the starting XV in line for their senior club debuts.

Tigers Academy graduates Sam Costelow and Jack van Poortvliet form a new half-back partnership, while fellow back-to-back league-winner George Martin is in line for a first senior appearance in the second row alongside captain Harry Wells.

Joe Thomas, who joined the club this summer, lines up at outside centre while loanees Andy Forsyth and Ifereimi Boladau also take their places in the starting line-up, wearing the club’s new ‘fluoro-red’ alternate kit.

Loosehead prop Keston Lines and fly-half Johnny McPhillips could also make their senior debuts after being named among the replacements in what is the fourth-youngest matchday squad in Tigers history.

Brett Deacon Pre-Season 2019
Assistant coach Brett Deacon has explained the club's approach to the Premiership Rugby Cup in 2019/20.

“In the past we’ve really used [this] as a development competition that fits in windows throughout the season,” explains Tigers assistant coach Brett Deacon. “These are our pre-season ‘friendlies’, as you could say, so it’s a different feel.

“We obviously need to get guys game-time and get match fitness up for Premiership Round 1, so we’ve got four games and four opportunities to do that.

“By all means, we are going out to perform and we want some team cohesion around what we get out of each individual when we go into the Premiership.

“You’ll see a really young, exciting team this weekend, which will also be a reward for how hard they’ve worked in pre-season.

“For example, Sam Lewis – who’s done every training session and not missed a minute of training in the whole of pre-season – we should be rewarding that effort by playing for Leicester in that first game of the Prem Cup.”

On the other side of the 4G pitch, former Tigers second-rower Graham Kitchener starts his second stint as a Worcester player with a match-up against his former club after being named in the Warriors’ engine room.

Ryan Bower and Perry Humphreys, who both came through the Tigers Academy set-up, also start in a Worcester side captained by No8 GJ van Velze.

Match referee for Saturday’s game is Christophe Ridley, assisted from the touchlines by Rob Warburton and Lionel Spooner.

No live TV coverage of the match is scheduled, but you can keep up to date with all of the action using the Tigers Matchday Live service on the club website, mobile website and official app.

Make sure to follow the club’s social media pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates as well as match reaction following the final whistle.

Team news | Young Tigers side named for Cup opener

Harry Wells will captain Leicester Tigers in the opening match of the 2019/20 season when the club takes on Worcester Warriors at Sixways Stadium in Round 1 of the Premiership Rugby Cup on Saturday.

Second-rower Wells leads a side including six players who will make their senior debuts for the club, as well as two more in line for their first appearance from the replacements.

New recruit Joe Thomas has been named at outside-centre and will partner Tom Hardwick in the midfield, with academy graduates Jack Van Poortvliet and Sam Costelow forming a half-back partnership.

Andy Forsyth (wing) and Ifereimi Boladau (No8), who are both on loan at the club for the duration of the Rugby World Cup, have also been included in the starting side for the fixture.

I’ve been very impressed with the commitment to training from each member of the squad during a long summer and thankfully, for us and all our fans, it’s time for the rugby to start again.

Geordan Murphy

Charlie Clare, who has returned to Leicester after several seasons at Northampton and Bedford, starts at hooker alongside international duo Facundo Gigena and Gaston Cortes in the front row

Skipper Wells will partner fellow academy graduate George Martin in the second-row and Under-20s internationals Sam Lewis and Tommy Reffell named in the back row alongside Boladau.

George Worth and Sam Aspland-Robinson make up the back-three alongside Forsyth for the opening match of the campaign.

The side named by Geordan Murphy will be the fourth-youngest to compete in a competition-match in the club's history and the Tigers head coach is excited to be rewarding those younger members of the squad for their efforts throughout a long pre-season programme.

“This week offers us the perfect chance to reward some youngsters who have made the step up to senior rugby over the summer, and new members of the squad, with a well-earned chance in the top squad," he said.

“As coaches, we get the opportunity to see what they are capable of at this level after a tough pre-season during which they have impressed us with their effort.

“I’ve been very impressed with the commitment to training from each member of the squad during a long summer and thankfully, for us and all our fans, it’s time for the rugby to start again.

“We are missing 10 members of our senior squad and throughout the next month of Premiership Cup action, we will endeavour to give each player game-time and build into the new season, starting with this group of predominantly young players at Worcester on Saturday afternoon.”

Former Ireland Under-20s representative Johnny McPhillips, who joined the club from Ulster this summer, is the only player named on the bench who has not come through the Tigers academy programme.

Tatafu Polota-Nau, who recently returned to the East Midlands after representing Australia in their build-up to the Rugby World Cup, is included alongside Joe Heyes, Keston Lines, Cameron Jordan and Thom Smith as forwards replacements.

Jonny Law and Freddie Steward, who were back-to-back winners of the Under-18 League title with Tigers in recent seasons, make up the bench alongside McPhillips and are in line to make their second and third senior appearances for the club after debuts in the final rounds of last season.

Leicester Tigers Team (vs Worcester Warriors, Sixways Stadium, Saturday 3.00pm)

15 Freddie Steward, 14 Sam Aspland-Robinson, 13 Joe Thomas *, 12 Tom Hardwick, 11 Andy Forsyth, 10 Sam Costelow *, 9 Jack Van Poortvliet *; 1 Facundo Gigena, 2 Charlie Clare *, 3 Gaston Cortes, 4 George Martin *, 5 Harry Wells (c), 6 Sam Lewis, 7 Tommy Reffell, 8 Ifereimi Boladau *

Replacements

16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Keston Lines *, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Cameron Jordan, 20 Thom Smith; 21 Jonny Law, 22 Johnny McPhillips *, 23 George Worth

* Denotes Tigers senior debut

Premiership-winning Leicester lock Graham Kitchener will begin his stint at Worcester with a match-up against his former Tigers team-mates after being named to start in the second row for Saturday's Premiership Rugby Cup fixture.

Fellow former Tigers Ryan Bower and Perry Humphreys have also been named in the Worcester side for the game at Sixways in the opening round of the 2019/20 Premiership Cup competition.

Worcester Warriors

15 Scott van Breda, 14 Perry Humphreys, 13 Ashley Beck, 12 Ryan Mills, 11 Dean Hammond, 10 Jono Lance, 9 Michael Heaney; 1 Ethan Waller, 2 Isaac Miller, 3 Conor Carey, 4 James Scott, 5 Graham Kitchener, 6 Ted Hill, 7 Caleb Montgomery, 8 GJ van Velze (c)

Replacements

16 Beck Cutting, 17 Ryan Bower, 18 Farai Mudariki, 19 Michael Fatialofa, 20 Sam Lewis; 21 Gareth Simpson, 22 Jamie Shillcock, 23 Alex Hearle

posteamteam namepldwdlfadifftftatblbpts
2
Leicester Tigers
Leicester TigersLEI420290102-1212142010
4
Worcester Warriors
Worcester WarriorsWOR4103110132-221516206
Form Guide
Form
LLLWL
Last Match
Lost to Exeter Chiefs 0-28
Past Meeting
Lost 16-36
Form
Last Match
Past Meeting
Form
WWWWL
Last Match
Lost to Bath Rugby 15-20
Past Meeting
Won 36-16

Matchday Live

Worcester Warriors57
Worcester Warriors
Leicester Tigers23
Leicester Tigers
Full Time