Jump to Main ContentJump to Primary Navigation
leicestertigers.comMattioli Woods Welford RoadContact UsTopps Tiles
Rugby News

Preview | Tigers versus Falcons this Saturday

Figure image

Leicester Tigers are back at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday in the first home game in the Gallagher Premiership since June.

Newcastle Falcons, who have already visited Tigers in a pre-season contest this summer, return in Round 2 of the Gallagher Premiership season.

Both teams took one point from the opening weekend of the campaign as Tigers were beaten by a last-minute score at Exeter, and Falcons scored five tries in a 31-40 home defeat by Harlequins.

Tigers are the Premiership’s defending champions after winning the trophy at Twickenham in June, but wing Harry Potter says focus is now only on the challenge provided by the Falcons and not on last season.

“The summer does go in a flash,” Potter said. “We’ve been away but there have been some exciting changes around staff and players, and around the club in general. The coaches have identified a lot of areas where we can take a step forward in and it is exciting that we have that room to improve.

“There is a lot we can do better and it is exciting to try to improve everywhere you look.”

In team news announced on Friday lunchtime, head coach Steve Borthwick brings Guy Porter, Ollie Chessum, Joe Heyes and Jack van Poortvliet into the Tigers squad for the first time this season following their summer tour with England, while Jimmy Gopperth and James Cronin are in line for their home debuts.

Scrum-half Ben Youngs makes his 200th appearance in the Premiership, in his 17th season as a Tigers first-teamer.

Falcons include former Leicester players Greg Peterson and Sebastian de Chaves in their squad alongside hooker George McGuigan who opened the season with two tries against Quins last weekend following his 15 in the league last season.

Head coach Dave Walder said: “We were never in control of the game last weekend but we did pretty well to score five tries against a good side, and ultimately come away with a point.

“Leicester are the champions and are committed to a certain style of playing, and they’ve had success from it, so I can’t see them changing. We know what’s coming and have got to make sure we deal with it, but at the same time we’ll throw a few things of our own at them.”

The two clubs have met on 65 previous occasions with Leicester winning 48 to 14 by Newcastle and three games drawn. Of the 34 games at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, the Tigers record is won 30, drawn 1, lost 3.

Saturday’s referee is Craig Maxwell-Keys, who was also in charge of the Round 26 fixture against Wasps at the end of last season. This is his 115th Premiership match.

Tickets are still on sale. Book online, phone 0116 319 8888 (option 2) or in person.

Click here for the Matchday Guide and everything you need to know if you are joining us on Saturday.

Round 2 in full:

Saturday – Northampton Saints v London Irish (2.00pm), Bath Rugby v Sale Sharks (3.00pm), Leicester Tigers v Newcastle Falcons (3.00pm), Wasps v Bristol Bears (3.00pm)

Sunday – Worcester Warriors v Exeter Chiefs (3.00pm)