Leicester Tigers have named an exciting young line-up for Saturday's pre-season fixture against Loughborough University at Welford Road (4pm).Experience is provided by international Christian Loamanu – who lines up in the back row – and three-time Premiership title winner Matt Smith, while centre Jack Roberts comes in for his first start of the pre-season after a run-out as a second-half replacement at Newcastle last Friday.
The backline includes academy wing Paolo Odogwu, who announced his arrival as a senior player with tries against Argentina and Sale Sharks this summer, and full-back George Worth who was a try-scorer in the Premiership Sevens this summer and has been a regular in the squad during the Kings of the North tournament. Academy player Wesley Douglas is on the other wing.
Young fly-half Jacob Umaga – son of former Samoa international Mike and nephew of ex-All Blacks captain Tana – joins George Tresidder at half-back.
First-teamers Riccardo Brugnara, Harry Thacker and Tiziano Pasquali line up in the front row and Joe Maksymiw gains more senior experience at lock alongside academy prospect Alex Galletly.
Loamanu is joined in the back row by England Under-20s duo Charlie Beckett, who skippers the side, and Will Owen.
The replacements bench includes the sons two well-known Leicester players. Fred Tuilagi follows dad Freddie into Tigers colours, and young back-rower Oliver Povoas follows his dad Simon who scored 64 tries in 135 appearances for the club up to 1993.
Entry to Saturday’s fixture is included in Tigers season tickets and there will be a full afternoon and evening of rugby at Welford Road with World Cup coverage on the screens ahead of the Tigers kick-off and England versus Australia shown live in Final Whistle at 8pm.
Match tickets are still available. Book in person at the Tigers Club Store at Welford Road or phone 0116 319 8888 (option 2) (9am-5pm weekdays and from 9am on matchday) or book online at the Tigers ticket office by clicking here.
For your Tigers matchday guide with opening times, Arriva matchday bus timetables and what’s in store at Welford Road on Saturday, click here.
Leicester Tigers (v Loughborough University, Welford Road, Saturday 4pm)
15 George Worth
14 Wesley Douglas
13 Matt Smith
12 Jack Roberts
11 Paolo Odogwu
10 Jacob Umaga
9 George Tresidder
1 Riccardo Brugnara
2 Harry Thacker
3 Tiziano Pasquali
4 Alex Galletly
5 Joe Maksymiw
6 Charlie Beckett (c)
7 Will Owen
8 Christian Loamanu
Replacements
Jake Farnworth
Ross Penn-Symonds
Fred Tuilagi
Will Evans
Oliver Povoas
Ben White
Harry Simmons
Oli Bryant
Sam Yawayawa
News
Team news: Tigers versus Loughborough University
2 October 2015 12:43 PM

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