Leicester Tigers welcome unbeaten Bath Rugby to Welford Road this Sunday in a rivalry dating back more than a century.
The teams first met in September 1913, with Tigers winning 19-5 in the final season before the First World War.
Sunday represents a 190th encounter between two of the country’s most successful sides with Bath heading to Welford Road on the back of wins over Northampton Saints, Newcastle Falcons and Worcester Warriors in the opening three weeks of the season, while Tigers chase a first home win after the disappointment of defeat by Wasps a fortnight ago.
Dan Cole was the hero of this fixture last season when he scored his first Tigers try in 78 appearances on the way to a 21-11 home win. Click here to re-live the highlights of that encounter.
http://www.leicestertigers.com/rugby/23825.php
Tigers and Bath have met on 189 previous occasions, with Tigers winning 111 to Bath’s 65, and 13 draws.
Director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: “A good home record is important, even more so in the modern era when you can only afford to lose five or six games in a season. We've had to deal with a defeat in our first home game, and it hurts. But we know we can play better.
“We need to get a big home crowd on its feet and for them to get right behind the team, and we’ll be prepared to fight for every bit of possession.
“Bath have had a very good start but we know we are a good team too. We are still positive in our approach - we’ve just got to make sure we do things better.”
Team announcements were made on Friday, with Tigers confirming the return of Marcos Ayerza and Lachlan McCaffrey, while Adam Thompstone is recalled in the backline. Former Tigers fly-half George Ford leads Bath as captain, with Dan Bowden also returning to Welford Road as part of a team who have won all three games under new boss Todd Blackadder.
Referee on Sunday is Mr Matthew Carley.
For all the information on what to expect at Welford Road, click here for our matchday guide.
The teams first met in September 1913, with Tigers winning 19-5 in the final season before the First World War.
Sunday represents a 190th encounter between two of the country’s most successful sides with Bath heading to Welford Road on the back of wins over Northampton Saints, Newcastle Falcons and Worcester Warriors in the opening three weeks of the season, while Tigers chase a first home win after the disappointment of defeat by Wasps a fortnight ago.
Dan Cole was the hero of this fixture last season when he scored his first Tigers try in 78 appearances on the way to a 21-11 home win. Click here to re-live the highlights of that encounter.
http://www.leicestertigers.com/rugby/23825.php
Tigers and Bath have met on 189 previous occasions, with Tigers winning 111 to Bath’s 65, and 13 draws.
Director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: “A good home record is important, even more so in the modern era when you can only afford to lose five or six games in a season. We've had to deal with a defeat in our first home game, and it hurts. But we know we can play better.
“We need to get a big home crowd on its feet and for them to get right behind the team, and we’ll be prepared to fight for every bit of possession.
“Bath have had a very good start but we know we are a good team too. We are still positive in our approach - we’ve just got to make sure we do things better.”
Team announcements were made on Friday, with Tigers confirming the return of Marcos Ayerza and Lachlan McCaffrey, while Adam Thompstone is recalled in the backline. Former Tigers fly-half George Ford leads Bath as captain, with Dan Bowden also returning to Welford Road as part of a team who have won all three games under new boss Todd Blackadder.
Referee on Sunday is Mr Matthew Carley.
For all the information on what to expect at Welford Road, click here for our matchday guide.
