Head coach Pat Howard has rung the changes to his Leicester Tigers side ahead of Friday evening's Guinness Premiership trip to face Sale Sharks.
After the exertions of the Six Nations internationals, an EDF Energy Cup semi-final victory and last weekend's epic Heineken Cup quarter-final win over Stade Francais, Howard has looked to bring in some fresh legs.
Leo Cullen will captain the team after sitting out the last three weeks with a foot injury. He partners James Hamilton in the second row as the Scotland international makes his first club appearance for a month.
Martin Castrogiovanni starts his first game for Tigers since late January after his appearance as a replacement in the win over Stade. The front row is completed by Marcos Ayerza and Gavin Hickie.
There is a new-look back-row combination featuring Tom Croft, Luke Abraham and Henry Tuilagi who makes only his second start of the season.
In the backline, Sam Vesty and Seru Rabeni form a new partnership in the centres, with Leon Lloyd and Tom Varndell on the wings and Johne Murphy coming back in at full-back. Frank Murphy and Ian Humphreys link up at half-back.
"I have not handed out the jerseys easily," said Howard. "All the guys have been performing or training well and they have a personal incentive to perform.
"Luke Abraham, for instance, has probably been our outstanding trainer in the last month and I have told him that he deserves a shot in the team. Tom Croft has been playing well and set up a lovely try in the game against Bath a couple of weeks ago.
"These guys are showing that they are good players and want their opportunity. I think I am respecting form."
England internationals Louis Deacon and Harry Ellis are among the replacements, alongside James Buckland, Alex Moreno, Jordan Crane, Alesana Tuilagi and Dan Hipkiss.
Leicester Tigers
15 Johne Murphy
14 Tom Varndell
13 Seru Rabeni
12 Sam Vesty
11 Leon Lloyd
10 Ian Humphreys
9 Frank Murphy
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 Gavin Hickie
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
4 James Hamilton
5 Leo Cullen (captain)
6 Tom Croft
7 Luke Abraham
8 Henry Tuilagi
Replacements
16 James Buckland
17 Alex Moreno
18 Louis Deacon
19 Jordan Crane
20 Harry Ellis
21 Alesana Tuilagi
22 Dan Hipkiss
After the exertions of the Six Nations internationals, an EDF Energy Cup semi-final victory and last weekend's epic Heineken Cup quarter-final win over Stade Francais, Howard has looked to bring in some fresh legs.
Leo Cullen will captain the team after sitting out the last three weeks with a foot injury. He partners James Hamilton in the second row as the Scotland international makes his first club appearance for a month.
Martin Castrogiovanni starts his first game for Tigers since late January after his appearance as a replacement in the win over Stade. The front row is completed by Marcos Ayerza and Gavin Hickie.
There is a new-look back-row combination featuring Tom Croft, Luke Abraham and Henry Tuilagi who makes only his second start of the season.
In the backline, Sam Vesty and Seru Rabeni form a new partnership in the centres, with Leon Lloyd and Tom Varndell on the wings and Johne Murphy coming back in at full-back. Frank Murphy and Ian Humphreys link up at half-back.
"I have not handed out the jerseys easily," said Howard. "All the guys have been performing or training well and they have a personal incentive to perform.
"Luke Abraham, for instance, has probably been our outstanding trainer in the last month and I have told him that he deserves a shot in the team. Tom Croft has been playing well and set up a lovely try in the game against Bath a couple of weeks ago.
"These guys are showing that they are good players and want their opportunity. I think I am respecting form."
England internationals Louis Deacon and Harry Ellis are among the replacements, alongside James Buckland, Alex Moreno, Jordan Crane, Alesana Tuilagi and Dan Hipkiss.
Leicester Tigers
15 Johne Murphy
14 Tom Varndell
13 Seru Rabeni
12 Sam Vesty
11 Leon Lloyd
10 Ian Humphreys
9 Frank Murphy
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 Gavin Hickie
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
4 James Hamilton
5 Leo Cullen (captain)
6 Tom Croft
7 Luke Abraham
8 Henry Tuilagi
Replacements
16 James Buckland
17 Alex Moreno
18 Louis Deacon
19 Jordan Crane
20 Harry Ellis
21 Alesana Tuilagi
22 Dan Hipkiss
