Leicester Tigers go into the knockout stages of a Premiership Rugby season for the 13th successive year as they prepare to meet Wasps on Saturday afternoon.
Following successive wins over Newcastle Falcons, Sale Sharks and Worcester Warriors at the end of the regular league programme, Tigers claimed fourth place in the Aviva Premiership table and travel to meet a Wasps side who finished in top spot after 22 rounds.
Click here for the season’s final Aviva Premiership table.
Head coach Matt O’Connor won the Premiership title three times in five seasons during a first spell with the club before returning to Welford Road last month and says Tigers have managed to build some confidence and momentum in recent weeks.
“We’re building slowly, but we know the enormity of the challenge against the form side throughout the competition,” said O’Connor.
“We’ve trained really well, the buy-in from the guys to the adjustments we are making has been first class and there is a buoyant mood in the camp.
“We have a good understanding of what knockout rugby is about and we have to deliver everywhere we can against Wasps. They are a quality side, they finished top of the table after 22 rounds and have a home semi-final, which they deserve.”
Wasps have won both previous meetings this season, though Tigers did win on their first visit to Wasps' new home in Coventry two seasons ago, when Adam Thompstone, Niall Morris and Vereniki Goneva scored the tries in a 26-21 triumph despite losing Seremaia Bai to a red card. Click here to re-live the details from that match.
Tom Youngs will make his 100th starting appearance for Tigers on Saturday, with Telusa Veainu and Ed Slater returning from injury to join the matchday squad. Wasps include Premiership Player of the Season and Golden Boot winner Jimmy Gopperth at centre, with Danny Cipriani at fly-half. Kurtley Beale and Willie Le Roux are also included in the backline of a team captained by England second-row Joe Launchbury.
Wasps’ director of rugby Dai Young said: “We are all really looking forward to the challenge and there has been a real excitement this week in anticipation of the game and what’s at stake.
“I’m sure Leicester Tigers will look forward to coming to the Ricoh Arena and will be keen to upset the party. It will be a ferocious contest against a side that has reached the play-offs 13 years on the bounce. You have to applaud that consistency and quality to finish in the top four year after year.
“We’re learning to handle these big occasions better each time we play in them. It has been a collective effort from the entire squad to get into the play-offs and I know every player taking the field on Saturday will give everything they have to do the squad and the club proud.”
Referee for the semi-final is Mr Matthew Carley.
Tigers will wear the club’s alternate kit this weekend.
The club will be followed by a large number of supporters in Coventry, with the initial allocation of tickets sold within hours of going on sale to season ticket holders last week. Match tickets remain on general sale via the host club.
Kick-off is at 5.15pm and there is a provision for extra-time and a place-kicking competition in the event of scores being level after 80 minutes. Click here for details.
Saturday’s game is scheduled for live TV coverage with BT Sport and you can keep up with all of the build-up, the match updates and the reaction via the Tigers club website and official social media pages throughout the day.
Exeter Chiefs host Saracens at 2.30pm in Saturday’s other semi-final.
The Aviva Premiership Final is a 2.30pm kick-off next Saturday (May 27) at Twickenham.
Following successive wins over Newcastle Falcons, Sale Sharks and Worcester Warriors at the end of the regular league programme, Tigers claimed fourth place in the Aviva Premiership table and travel to meet a Wasps side who finished in top spot after 22 rounds.
Click here for the season’s final Aviva Premiership table.
Head coach Matt O’Connor won the Premiership title three times in five seasons during a first spell with the club before returning to Welford Road last month and says Tigers have managed to build some confidence and momentum in recent weeks.
“We’re building slowly, but we know the enormity of the challenge against the form side throughout the competition,” said O’Connor.
“We’ve trained really well, the buy-in from the guys to the adjustments we are making has been first class and there is a buoyant mood in the camp.
“We have a good understanding of what knockout rugby is about and we have to deliver everywhere we can against Wasps. They are a quality side, they finished top of the table after 22 rounds and have a home semi-final, which they deserve.”
Wasps have won both previous meetings this season, though Tigers did win on their first visit to Wasps' new home in Coventry two seasons ago, when Adam Thompstone, Niall Morris and Vereniki Goneva scored the tries in a 26-21 triumph despite losing Seremaia Bai to a red card. Click here to re-live the details from that match.
Tom Youngs will make his 100th starting appearance for Tigers on Saturday, with Telusa Veainu and Ed Slater returning from injury to join the matchday squad. Wasps include Premiership Player of the Season and Golden Boot winner Jimmy Gopperth at centre, with Danny Cipriani at fly-half. Kurtley Beale and Willie Le Roux are also included in the backline of a team captained by England second-row Joe Launchbury.
Wasps’ director of rugby Dai Young said: “We are all really looking forward to the challenge and there has been a real excitement this week in anticipation of the game and what’s at stake.
“I’m sure Leicester Tigers will look forward to coming to the Ricoh Arena and will be keen to upset the party. It will be a ferocious contest against a side that has reached the play-offs 13 years on the bounce. You have to applaud that consistency and quality to finish in the top four year after year.
“We’re learning to handle these big occasions better each time we play in them. It has been a collective effort from the entire squad to get into the play-offs and I know every player taking the field on Saturday will give everything they have to do the squad and the club proud.”
Referee for the semi-final is Mr Matthew Carley.
Tigers will wear the club’s alternate kit this weekend.
The club will be followed by a large number of supporters in Coventry, with the initial allocation of tickets sold within hours of going on sale to season ticket holders last week. Match tickets remain on general sale via the host club.
Kick-off is at 5.15pm and there is a provision for extra-time and a place-kicking competition in the event of scores being level after 80 minutes. Click here for details.
Saturday’s game is scheduled for live TV coverage with BT Sport and you can keep up with all of the build-up, the match updates and the reaction via the Tigers club website and official social media pages throughout the day.
Exeter Chiefs host Saracens at 2.30pm in Saturday’s other semi-final.
The Aviva Premiership Final is a 2.30pm kick-off next Saturday (May 27) at Twickenham.