The Guinness Premiership Player of the Season has been named at tighthead for Italy in their opening encounter with New Zealand in Group C on Saturday lunchtime. Aaron Mauger, who joins Tigers after the World Cup, is named among the All Blacks replacements.
Tigers supporters will be able to watch England's match against the USA in the Tiger and ABC Bars at Welford Road after the club's match against Montauban on Saturday. Ben Kay starts for England, with club colleagues George Chuter, Martin Corry and Lewis Moody on the bench.
Alesana Tuilagi has been named on the wing for Samoa as they face South Africa in England's group on Sunday afternoon, with older brother Henry at No.8, and Geordan Murphy is among the replacements as Ireland open their campaign in Group D against Namibia in Bordeaux on Sunday evening.
Also in Group D, Marcelo Loffreda, who takes over as Tigers head coach after the World Cup, has named his side for the tournament's opening game against hosts France on Friday, with Stade Francais star Juan Martin Hernandez at fly-half and Felipe Contepomi moving to midfield alongside his brother Manuel.
