Mike Williams returns to the starting line-up as Leicester Tigers head south-west for the Aviva Premiership fixture against Exeter Chiefs on Christmas Eve.
Back-rower Williams was used as a second-half replacement in the European win over Munster last Saturday and makes his first start since the trip to Sale Sharks in October after recovering from an arm injury.
Dan Cole is also back in the Tigers matchday squad for the first time since starting all of England’s autumn series victories.
George McGuigan starts at hooker, with Pat Cilliers continuing at tighthead after starting his first game for the club in the Champions Cup last weekend.
Ed Slater is named as captain in the absence of Tom Youngs and starts in the second row alongside Mike Fitzgerald.
Freddie Burns returns to the backline after being sidelined last week and starts at full-back, with Sam Harrison making his 50th starting appearance for the club at scrum-half.
Leicester Tigers (v Exeter Chiefs, away, Saturday 3.00pm)
15 Freddie Burns
14 Adam Thompstone
13 Jack Roberts
12 Manu Tuilagi
11 Peter Betham
10 Owen Williams
9 Sam Harrison
1 Ellis Genge
2 George McGuigan
3 Pat Cilliers
4 Ed Slater (c)
5 Mike Fitzgerald
6 Mike Williams
7 Brendon O'Connor
8 Luke Hamilton
Replacements
16 Harry Thacker
17 Logovi’i Mulipola
18 Dan Cole
19 Graham Kitchener
20 Will Evans
21 Jono Kitto
22 George Worth
23 Tom Brady
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Ollie Devoto, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 Gareth Steenson (c), 9 Will Chudley; 1 Ben Moon, 2 Jack Yeandle, 3 Tomas Francis, 4 Mitch Lees, 5 Jonny Hill, 6 Dave Dennis, 7 Don Armand, 8 Thomas Waldrom
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Carl Rimmer, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Ollie Atkins, 20 Kai Horstmann, 21 Jack Maunder, 22 Sam Hill, 23 James Short
Back-rower Williams was used as a second-half replacement in the European win over Munster last Saturday and makes his first start since the trip to Sale Sharks in October after recovering from an arm injury.
Dan Cole is also back in the Tigers matchday squad for the first time since starting all of England’s autumn series victories.
George McGuigan starts at hooker, with Pat Cilliers continuing at tighthead after starting his first game for the club in the Champions Cup last weekend.
Ed Slater is named as captain in the absence of Tom Youngs and starts in the second row alongside Mike Fitzgerald.
Freddie Burns returns to the backline after being sidelined last week and starts at full-back, with Sam Harrison making his 50th starting appearance for the club at scrum-half.
Leicester Tigers (v Exeter Chiefs, away, Saturday 3.00pm)
15 Freddie Burns
14 Adam Thompstone
13 Jack Roberts
12 Manu Tuilagi
11 Peter Betham
10 Owen Williams
9 Sam Harrison
1 Ellis Genge
2 George McGuigan
3 Pat Cilliers
4 Ed Slater (c)
5 Mike Fitzgerald
6 Mike Williams
7 Brendon O'Connor
8 Luke Hamilton
Replacements
16 Harry Thacker
17 Logovi’i Mulipola
18 Dan Cole
19 Graham Kitchener
20 Will Evans
21 Jono Kitto
22 George Worth
23 Tom Brady
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Ollie Devoto, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 Gareth Steenson (c), 9 Will Chudley; 1 Ben Moon, 2 Jack Yeandle, 3 Tomas Francis, 4 Mitch Lees, 5 Jonny Hill, 6 Dave Dennis, 7 Don Armand, 8 Thomas Waldrom
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Carl Rimmer, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Ollie Atkins, 20 Kai Horstmann, 21 Jack Maunder, 22 Sam Hill, 23 James Short
