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Tigers team for Saracens

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Alesana Tuilagi returns to the Leicester Tigers line-up for Saturday's top-of-the-table encounter with Saracens (3pm).

The Samoan winger was ruled out of the wins over Newcastle Falcons and Harlequins, but returns for the final game of the regular Guinness Premiership season.

Jeremy Staunton steps up to start at fly-half, and internationals George Chuter and Martin Castrogiovanni come into the front row in the only changes among the forwards following the win over Quins which guaranteed Tigers a home semi-final.

Jordan Crane returns from injury to take a place among the replacements and Sam Vesty is called up after proving his match fitness in the Development XV.

Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill said: “Saracens are a good team, they’re well coached and they’ve had some good results, especially in the win at Northampton. They could still finish second and take a home semi-final too.

“But we have everything to play for as well because we want to go into the semi-finals on a good run and with a bit of confidence, and that comes from winning games and performing at your best.”

Tickets are still available from the Tigers ticket office. Book online, phone the ticket hotline on 0844 856 1880 or call in at Welford Road. The ticket office is open until 5pm on Friday and from 9am on matchday.

Leicester Tigers (v Saracens, Welford Road, Saturday 3pm)
15 Geordan Murphy (c)
14 Scott Hamilton
13 Matt Smith
12 Anthony Allen
11 Alesana Tuilagi
10 Jeremy Staunton
9 Ben Youngs
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 George Chuter
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
4 Geoff Parling
5 Ben Kay
6 Tom Croft
7 Lewis Moody
8 Craig Newby

Replacements
16 Joe Duffey
17 Dan Cole
18 Boris Stankovich
19 Jordan Crane
20 Ben Woods
21 James Grindal
22 Sam Vesty
23 Johne Murphy

A win for Saracens could yet clinch a home tie in the play-offs and director of rugby Brendan Venter says he is looking forward to the challenge.

He said: “We’re in a good position of knowing that we have already secured a place in the semi-finals. We will go to Welford Road looking to win the game and then we will see what happens.

“We have said all season that Leicester are a side that sets the trend and the game will be a good test for us to see how far we have come.”

Chris Wyles returns from a rib injury to start at full-back in place of Alex Goode who broke a thumb two weeks ago but is expected to be available for the semi-finals. Richard Haughton also returns on the wing.

On the bench, scrum half Moses Rauluni is set to make his 100th appearance for Saracens.

Saracens
15 Chris Wyles
14 Richard Haughton
13 Adam Powell
12 Brad Barritt
11 Michael Tagicakibau
10 Glen Jackson
9 Neil de Kock
1 Matias Aguero
2 Schalk Brits
3 Petrus du Plessis
4 Hugh Vyvyan
5 Mouritz Botha
6 Jacques Burger
7 Andy Saulll
8 Ernst Joubert

Replacements
16 Fabio Ongaro
17 Rhys Gill
18 Richard Skuse
19 Tom Ryder
20 Justin Melck
21 Moses Rauluni
22 Derick Hougaard
23 Kameli Ratuvou