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Tigers v Ospreys line-ups for Friday

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Wings Lee Robinson and Will Hurrell will make their first starts of the season when Leicester Tigers face the Ospreys in the LV= Cup tie at Bridgend on Friday.

Preparing for a third fixture in seven days, Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill includes summer signing Robinson and England Under-20 international Hurrell, while 20-year-old prop Camilo Parilli-Ocampo makes his Tigers debut.

London-born Parilli-Ocampo has gained Development XV experience this season and has travelled with the senior team on league duty to gain experience in that environment.

On-loan scrum-half Jason Spice, who enjoyed spells in Wales with Cardiff Blues and the Ospreys, joins England international centre Dan Hipkiss, hooker Rob Hawkins and Robinson in providing the experienced core of the Tigers line-up, while Ben Pienaar leads out the side as captain.

Andy Forsyth, Dan Hemingway and Tom Armes, who have been playing Championship rugby with Nottingham, are brought into a squad which also includes full-back Alex Lewington and prop Ryan Bower who were involved in LV= Cup rugby last season.

Scrum-half Sam Harrison is among the replacements on his return from injury. The bench also includes Academy prop Fraser Balmain, flanker Matt Everard and young backs Rory Lynn and Stephen Macaulay.

“All of these guys want an opportunity to show what they can do and this is a chance for us to see what they offer,” said Cockerill.

“We have to look at the whole squad and manage that, but this is a good opportunity for some of those younger guys to play for the first team in a tough away game in Wales. It’ll be a good test for the guys, they will learn from it and benefit from the experience.

“We’ve also got some older guys in there who need some game-time and they’ll be keen to make the most of their opportunity.”

Tigers have made only one previous trip to Bridgend in their 130-year history. Peter Wheeler, Garry Adey and Bob Barker were the try-scorers in a 20-12 defeat there in January 1972. Bleddyn Jones, who will be in Wales on Friday as commentator for BBC Radio Leicester, was also in the Tigers XV that day.

The hosts, who will be captained by former Tigers hooker Mefin Davies, report ticket sales of more than 5,000 for their first game in Bridgend. Tickets will remain on sale up to kick-off, or phone the Ticket Hotline on 08700 400 004 or book online at www.ospreysrugby.com

Leicester Tigers (v Ospreys, Brewery Field, Friday 7.45pm)
15 Alex Lewington
14 Lee Robinson
13 Dan Hipkiss
12 Andy Forsyth
11 Will Hurrell
10 George Ford
9 Jason Spice
1 Camilo Parilli-Ocampo
2 Rob Hawkins
3 Ryan Bower
4 Calum Green
5 Ben Gulliver
6 Dan Hemingway
7 Tom Armes
8 Ben Pienaar (c)

Replacements
16 Joe Duffey
17 Fraser Balmain
18 Peter Bucknall
19 Matt Everard
20 Steve Mafi
21 Sam Harrison
22 Stephen Macaulay
23 Rory Lynn

Ospreys
15 Tom Prydie
14 Kristian Phillips
13 Sonny Parker
12 Ashley Beck
11 Richard Fussell
10 Matthew Morgan
9 Rhys Webb
1 Duncan Jones
2 Mefin Davies (Capt)
3 Craig Mitchell
4 Conor McInerney
5 James Goode
6 James King
7 Justin Tipuric
8 Andy Lloyd

Replacements
16 Richard Hibbard
17 Joe Rees
18 Cai Griffiths
19 Ian Gough
20 Marty Holah
21 Jamie Nutbrown
22 Gareth Owen
23 Barry Davies