Sam Vesty makes his first starting appearance of the season for Leicester Tigers in Saturday's Heineken Cup tie against Viadana at Welford Road.
Leicester-born Vesty ended 2008/09 as Players’ Player of the Season and gained his first England caps in the summer, but was sidelined by a hamstring injury at the start of this season.
He wears the No12 shirt, with Alesana Tuilagi recalled to a starting role on the wing.
In the forwards, head coach Richard Cockerill brings in George Chuter at hooker, while Tom Croft and Ben Woods are given starts in the back row.
Aaron Mauger is selected among the replacements on his return from injury.
Cockerill said: “What pleases me most with our performances in recent weeks is that we have been consistent in the way we have been playing. We have improved week on week and we have put teams under pressure.
“We have competition for places and everyone in the team knows they have to earn their place.
“Viadana are a difficult team to break down, they’ve got a big forward pack and a bit of experience in the backline, and they will be very physical. We have to maintain the intensity we have shown in recent weeks.”
Tickets for Saturday’s game are available now. Contact the Tigers ticket office by phoning the hotline on 0844 856 1880, book online by clicking here or call in at Welford Road. The office is open until 5pm on Friday and from 9am on matchday.
Leicester Tigers (v Viadana, Welford Road, Saturday 2pm)
15 Scott Hamilton
14 Alesana Tuilagi
13 Dan Hipkiss
12 Sam Vesty
11 Lote Tuqiri
10 Toby Flood
9 Ben Youngs
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 George Chuter
3 Dan Cole
4 Louis Deacon (c)
5 Geoff Parling
6 Tom Croft
7 Ben Woods
8 Jordan Crane
Replacements
16 Mefin Davies
17 Boris Stankovich
18 Julian White
19 Craig Newby
20 Lewis Moody
21 James Grindal
22 Aaron Mauger
23 Johne Murphy
Leicester-born Vesty ended 2008/09 as Players’ Player of the Season and gained his first England caps in the summer, but was sidelined by a hamstring injury at the start of this season.
He wears the No12 shirt, with Alesana Tuilagi recalled to a starting role on the wing.
In the forwards, head coach Richard Cockerill brings in George Chuter at hooker, while Tom Croft and Ben Woods are given starts in the back row.
Aaron Mauger is selected among the replacements on his return from injury.
Cockerill said: “What pleases me most with our performances in recent weeks is that we have been consistent in the way we have been playing. We have improved week on week and we have put teams under pressure.
“We have competition for places and everyone in the team knows they have to earn their place.
“Viadana are a difficult team to break down, they’ve got a big forward pack and a bit of experience in the backline, and they will be very physical. We have to maintain the intensity we have shown in recent weeks.”
Tickets for Saturday’s game are available now. Contact the Tigers ticket office by phoning the hotline on 0844 856 1880, book online by clicking here or call in at Welford Road. The office is open until 5pm on Friday and from 9am on matchday.
Leicester Tigers (v Viadana, Welford Road, Saturday 2pm)
15 Scott Hamilton
14 Alesana Tuilagi
13 Dan Hipkiss
12 Sam Vesty
11 Lote Tuqiri
10 Toby Flood
9 Ben Youngs
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 George Chuter
3 Dan Cole
4 Louis Deacon (c)
5 Geoff Parling
6 Tom Croft
7 Ben Woods
8 Jordan Crane
Replacements
16 Mefin Davies
17 Boris Stankovich
18 Julian White
19 Craig Newby
20 Lewis Moody
21 James Grindal
22 Aaron Mauger
23 Johne Murphy
Viadana team
15 Garry Law
14 Matteo Pratichetti
13 Sam Cox
12 Lloyd Johansson
11 Michele Sepe
10 Pierre Hola
9 Pablo Canavosio
1 Plinio Sciamanna
2 Luigi Ferraro (c)
3 Julio Garcia
4 Carlo del Fava
5 Sean Hohneck
6 Aaron Persico
7 Andrea Benatti
8 Jaco Erasmus.
Replacements:
16 Roberto Santamaria
17 Luigi Milani
18 Mattia Cagna
19 Josh Furno
20 Gareth Krause
21 Aldo Birchall
22 Michael Wilson
23 Samuele Pace
