Leicester Tigers will play an Italian Select XV as part of an historic Mattioli Woods Welford Road double header on Saturday, November 5.
The men’s team meeting with the club’s Italian visitors* will be followed by the Women’s Championship North fixture between Tigers and derby rivals Loughborough Town Ladies, with kick-offs at 1.00pm and 3.15pm respectively.
This is the first time the two Tigers teams have shared a matchday at the stadium and entry to this double header is INCLUDED in 2022/23 season tickets. All areas of the stadium will be open.
Leicester Tigers chief executive Andrea Pinchen said: “The cancellation of fixtures against Wasps and Worcester Warriors, combined with a fallow week in the league programme at the end of October, presented the club, our players and our supporters with a four-week gap between Gallagher Premiership matches and more than a month without a men’s senior home game at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
“The Italian federation were keen to organise an extra fixture for players not already involved in their autumn series and we wanted to host a Tigers double header on one afternoon, so we are delighted to be able to welcome them.
“We think having four teams here on one day will provide an exciting and interesting afternoon for supporters.
“The women’s team were blown away by the support from a 1,000-strong crowd for their first game at Mattioli Woods Welford Road last month and a double header gives all of our supporters a chance to see the team in action in a derby game against a Loughborough Town team who have also started strongly in the league season.”
Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick said: “We are looking forward to what will be a memorable day for everybody involved with Leicester Tigers, with both the men’s and women’s sides in match action back-to-back at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
"The game against the Italian Select XV is a brilliant opportunity for our squad to face quality opposition and continue to take steps forward as a group during this campaign.
"Matchdays at Mattioli Woods Welford Road are unrivalled in English rugby and it is exciting for us to be able to take on international opposition at home with what we know will be a big, loud Leicester Tigers crowd.”
Double Header match tickets are on general sale, priced from just £22 adult / £10 under-18s, including entry to both games.
All match tickets, car parking and matchday bus travel purchased for the cancelled Wasps fixture will be transferred to this double header. Original tickets will remain valid to use at the turnstiles and no new ticket will need to be issued.
Season ticket holders and match ticket purchasers for the original fixture have been emailed full details.
Women’s team season ticket holders will be issued with a code to re-book for the double header following the change of kick-off details. Check your emails from the Leicester Tigers ticket office for full details.
*Leicester Tigers versus Italian Select XV subject to World Rugby approval.