It's the most wonderful time of the year, and what more could you want more on the 21st of December than a top-four clash at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, Leicester Tigers taking on the league pace-setters, Bristol Bears. 

The festive spirit will be alive and well off the field, but on it, you won't see a better quality match-up in domestic club rugby. 

Bristol are flying, and playing some stunning rugby. Tigers will be looking to redeem their performance in Sale a fortnight ago, and last year's shock defeat against Bears where the visitors scored three times in 10 minutes to come back and win on Leicester's home patch. 

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KEY TIMINGS

12.30pm:

LIVE MUSIC: DJ in the Marquee

Junior Tigers Club & Santa's Grotto OPENS

The Final Whistle bar OPENS

1.40pm - The Plaza Prowl
3.05pm - Kick Off: Leicester Tigers v Bristol Bears
5.00pm - LIVE MUSIC: The 'Welfeds' take over Tigers
5.30pm - LIVE on BIG SCREENS: Sale Sharks v Exeter Chiefs

AJ MacGinty returning for Bristol gives the visitors a big boost and Tigers have Cameron Henderson and Ben Youngs in the starting group. 

Leicester Tigers four game winning run in Gallagher Premiership Rugby ended with their 25- 39 defeat at Sale in Round 7.

The Tigers only defeat in their last four Premiership Rugby matches at Mattioli Woods Welford Road was 15-20 to Bath on 29 September.

Bristol’s only defeat in their last four encounters with Leicester was 24-46 at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in March 2023. The Bears have won on three of their last six visits to Leicester.

Overall the two clubs have met on 193 previous occasions with Leicester winning 98 to 85 by Bristol and ten games drawn.

Ninety of those encounters have been at Welford Road, where the Tigers record is won 65, drawn 4, lost 21.

Referee: Hamish Smales
Assistant Referees: Hamish Grant and Simon Harding
TMO: David Rose