Leicester Tigers will run out in front of a capacity 24,000 crowd for the first home game of the season on Saturday with a team showing four changes since last weekend's win at Harlequins.
The new Caterpillar Stand is opened for the first time as Tigers welcome the biggest-ever league crowd at Welford Road.
Head coach Richard Cockerill retains the same backline that started at Harlequins but he has made four changes in the forwards, with Mefin Davies, Ben Kay, Craig Newby and Brett Deacon given starting roles. Richard Blaze, George Chuter, Jordan Crane and Ben Woods are ruled out by injuries picked up last weekend.
“It is great to get back to Welford Road after starting the season with two tough away games,” said Cockerill.
“We won only five league games away from home last year and we have one to our credit already. Now we need to build on that.
“It is fantastic for the players to run out in front a 24,000 full house, but we have to retain our focus on the match itself. Welford Road is a special place for every one of us but, just like starting the season as defending champions, you still have to earn the right to win games, nothing gets handed to you on a plate.”
Argentina full-back Lucas Amorosino is named among the replacements alongside summer signings Joe Duffey, Robbie Harris and Geoff Parling, as well as internationals Julian White and Aaron Mauger.
Toby Flood, Sam Vesty, Dan Hipkiss, Alesana Tuilagi, Lewis Moody, Dan Cole and Boris Stankovich are unavailable due to injury.
Leicester Tigers (v Newcastle Falcons, Welford Road, Saturday 5.35pm)
15 Geordan Murphy (captain)
14 Johne Murphy
13 Matt Smith
12 Anthony Allen
11 Scott Hamilton
10 Jeremy Staunton
9 Harry Ellis
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 Mefin Davies
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
4 Louis Deacon
5 Ben Kay
6 Tom Croft
7 Craig Newby
8 Brett Deacon
Replacements
16 Joe Duffey
17 Julian White
18 Robbie Harris
19 Geoff Parling
20 Ben Pienaar
21 Ben Youngs
22 Aaron Mauger
23 Lucas Amorosino
The new Caterpillar Stand is opened for the first time as Tigers welcome the biggest-ever league crowd at Welford Road.
Head coach Richard Cockerill retains the same backline that started at Harlequins but he has made four changes in the forwards, with Mefin Davies, Ben Kay, Craig Newby and Brett Deacon given starting roles. Richard Blaze, George Chuter, Jordan Crane and Ben Woods are ruled out by injuries picked up last weekend.
“It is great to get back to Welford Road after starting the season with two tough away games,” said Cockerill.
“We won only five league games away from home last year and we have one to our credit already. Now we need to build on that.
“It is fantastic for the players to run out in front a 24,000 full house, but we have to retain our focus on the match itself. Welford Road is a special place for every one of us but, just like starting the season as defending champions, you still have to earn the right to win games, nothing gets handed to you on a plate.”
Argentina full-back Lucas Amorosino is named among the replacements alongside summer signings Joe Duffey, Robbie Harris and Geoff Parling, as well as internationals Julian White and Aaron Mauger.
Toby Flood, Sam Vesty, Dan Hipkiss, Alesana Tuilagi, Lewis Moody, Dan Cole and Boris Stankovich are unavailable due to injury.
Leicester Tigers (v Newcastle Falcons, Welford Road, Saturday 5.35pm)
15 Geordan Murphy (captain)
14 Johne Murphy
13 Matt Smith
12 Anthony Allen
11 Scott Hamilton
10 Jeremy Staunton
9 Harry Ellis
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 Mefin Davies
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
4 Louis Deacon
5 Ben Kay
6 Tom Croft
7 Craig Newby
8 Brett Deacon
Replacements
16 Joe Duffey
17 Julian White
18 Robbie Harris
19 Geoff Parling
20 Ben Pienaar
21 Ben Youngs
22 Aaron Mauger
23 Lucas Amorosino
