Michael Cheika has named the Leicester Tigers matchday squad for Friday night’s game against Sale Sharks.

Handré Pollard will make his 50th appearance for the club in the crucial clash at Mattioli Woods Welford Road which kicks off Round 16 of the Gallagher Premiership.

Olly Cracknell, who missed the side’s last outing through injury, returns to start at No.8 alongside Hanro Liebenberg and Tommy Reffell in the back row.

The only other changes to the team that registered a bonus-point victory over Harlequins in Round 15 are on the bench, with James Cronin and Matt Rogerson returning from injury to take their place among the replacements.

Cronin returns after twelve weeks on the sidelines, with the Irish International last featuring in February’s Premiership Rugby Cup clash with Coventry, while Rogerson is back after missing just one game, with his last appearance coming in the away win over Bristol Bears.

Harry Wells, who was injured in the club's last game, joins George Martin, Izaia Perese, and Ben Volavola as Senior Squad members unavailable for selection through injury.

STARTING XV

15 Freddie Steward [106]
14 Adam Radwan [7]
13 Solomone Kata [39]
12 Joseph Woodward [28]
11 Ollie Hassell-Collins [43]
10 Handré Pollard [49]
9 Jack van Poortvliet [91]
1 Nicky Smith [19]
2 Julián Montoya (c) [73]
3 Joe Heyes [158]
4 Cameron Henderson [60]
5 Ollie Chessum [63]
6 Hanro Liebenberg [127]
7 Tommy Reffell [132]
8 Olly Cracknell [61]

REPLACEMENTS

16 Charlie Clare [119]
17 James Cronin [45]
18 Dan Cole [339]
19 Matt Rogerson [23]
20 Emeka Ilione [43]
21 Ben Youngs [333]
22 Jamie Shillcock [48]
23 Dan Kelly [96]