Eight members of Geordan Murphy's 2019/20 Tigers squad will be in action during the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup, as well as a host of former Leicester players now 

Six of the octet have been included as part of England's matchday squad for their first-up encounter with Tonga, where they will come up against Tigers team-mate Sione Kalamafoni who has been named at blind-side flanker for the Pacific Islands nation.

The Tigers No8 made his international debut in February 2007 and was unlucky to miss out on selection at that year's tournament in France, before going on to feature as part of Tonga's squads at the 2011 and 2015 World Cups for his home nation.

The now 31-year-old has made 33 appearances for Tonga in the thirteen years since his debut, including 29 starts and scored two tries.

Across both World Cups he has been involved in, Kalamafoni has made 8 appearances and recorded three victories.

Elsewhere in Pool C, which is where all nine Tigers at the 2019 tournament will play their Pool matches, Tomas Lavanini has been named to start in the second row Argentina in their crucial clash with France.

With England tipped to top Pool C, a result for Lavanini and the Los Pumas could help boost their chances at progressing to the knockout stages of the tournament.

Lavanini has made 53 appearances for Argentina since debuting in 2013 and was a key figure in their fourth-placed finish at the 2015 World Cup, where he played in six of their matches at the tournament.

The 26-year-old has gone from strength to strength since bursting on to the international scene at just 20 and is now recognised as one of the fiercest and most physical locks in the world game.

Lavanini will line-up alongside former Tigers back-rower Pablo Matera for Argentina, who is just one of several club alumni's who will feature at the 2019 tournament.

Matt Toomua, who spent three seasons in the East Midlands, has been included on the bench for Australia and Vereniki Goneva on the wing for Fiji for the fixture between the two southern-hemisphere nations on Saturday in Pool D at the impressive Sapporo Dome in Sapporo.

Tigers supporters can watch the lads in action from Japan among fellow Leicester fans at the club's historic home, Welford Road, throughout the 2019 World Cup.

Former England international and recently retired Tigers star Mat Tait will provide expert analysis of this Sunday's match ahead of kick-off, as well as during half-time and following the full-time whistle, exclusively for those in attendance.

Entry is FREE for all supporters. To register your place CLICK HERE.