Geordan Murphy makes his return from injury to claim a place in the Leicester Tigers squad for Saturday's LV= Cup tie away to Northampton Saints.
The Tigers club captain has not played since the opening month of the season, but has been named among the replacements for the trip to Franklin’s Gardens.
Head coach Richard Cockerill makes just two changes to the starting line-up following last week’s win over Bath Rugby which meant Tigers still have a chance of claiming a place in the semi-finals of the Anglo-Welsh competition they won in 2007.
Tom Youngs comes into the front row and Dan Hemingway, one of the starters in the historic win over South Africa in November, is named alongside Ben Kay in the second row.
The backline that started the bonus-point win over Bath is retained, with Aaron Mauger again named as captain.
Young prospects Ryan Bower, Rob Conquest and Matt Everard are among the replacements alongside Murphy and his fellow Ireland international Jeremy Staunton.
“It was key for us to get the bonus point against Bath last week and take something into this last fixture in the pool,” said Cockerill.
“We brought in a few guys last week who had not had much rugby and they all came through fine. Now we’ve had a good week working up to this one and we’re looking forward to it.
“Northampton have always been huge rivals and they are always big occasions when we meet.”
Tigers enter the game on top of Pool 1, level on points with Saracens who host Newport Gwent Dragons in a Sky TV match at 5pm on Sunday. Sale Sharks, who can also still finish top of Pool 1, are away to Bath on Saturday (2.15pm).
Tickets are still available from the Franklin’s Gardens ticket office. Call 01604 581000.
Leicester Tigers (v Northampton Saints, away, Saturday 3pm)
15 Lucas Amorosino
14 Alesana Tuilagi
13 Billy Twelvetrees
12 Aaron Mauger (c)
11 Matt Smith
10 Sam Vesty
9 Harry Ellis
1 Boris Stankovich
2 Tom Youngs
3 Julian White
4 Dan Hemingway
5 Ben Kay
6 Ben Pienaar
7 Ben Woods
8 Brett Deacon
Replacements
16 Joe Duffey
17 Robbie Harris
18 Ryan Bower
19 Rob Conquest
20 Matt Everard
21 James Grindal
22 Jeremy Staunton
23 Geordan Murphy
The Tigers club captain has not played since the opening month of the season, but has been named among the replacements for the trip to Franklin’s Gardens.
Head coach Richard Cockerill makes just two changes to the starting line-up following last week’s win over Bath Rugby which meant Tigers still have a chance of claiming a place in the semi-finals of the Anglo-Welsh competition they won in 2007.
Tom Youngs comes into the front row and Dan Hemingway, one of the starters in the historic win over South Africa in November, is named alongside Ben Kay in the second row.
The backline that started the bonus-point win over Bath is retained, with Aaron Mauger again named as captain.
Young prospects Ryan Bower, Rob Conquest and Matt Everard are among the replacements alongside Murphy and his fellow Ireland international Jeremy Staunton.
“It was key for us to get the bonus point against Bath last week and take something into this last fixture in the pool,” said Cockerill.
“We brought in a few guys last week who had not had much rugby and they all came through fine. Now we’ve had a good week working up to this one and we’re looking forward to it.
“Northampton have always been huge rivals and they are always big occasions when we meet.”
Tigers enter the game on top of Pool 1, level on points with Saracens who host Newport Gwent Dragons in a Sky TV match at 5pm on Sunday. Sale Sharks, who can also still finish top of Pool 1, are away to Bath on Saturday (2.15pm).
Tickets are still available from the Franklin’s Gardens ticket office. Call 01604 581000.
Leicester Tigers (v Northampton Saints, away, Saturday 3pm)
15 Lucas Amorosino
14 Alesana Tuilagi
13 Billy Twelvetrees
12 Aaron Mauger (c)
11 Matt Smith
10 Sam Vesty
9 Harry Ellis
1 Boris Stankovich
2 Tom Youngs
3 Julian White
4 Dan Hemingway
5 Ben Kay
6 Ben Pienaar
7 Ben Woods
8 Brett Deacon
Replacements
16 Joe Duffey
17 Robbie Harris
18 Ryan Bower
19 Rob Conquest
20 Matt Everard
21 James Grindal
22 Jeremy Staunton
23 Geordan Murphy
Northampton Saints
15 Bruce Reihana
14 Chris Ashton
13 Joe Ansbro
12 Chris Mayor
11 Paul Diggin
10 Stephen Myler
9 Alan Dickens
1 Soane Tonga'uiha
2 Brett Sharman
3 Brian Mujati
4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe (c)
5 Juandre Kruger
6 Mark Easter
7 Neil Best
8 Roger Wilson
Replacements
16 Andy Long
17 Adam Parkins
18 Alex Waller
19 James Cannon
20 Owen Giles
21 Lee Dickson
22 Barry Everitt
23 James Downey
