Leicester Tigers side to play Northampton Saints

January 27, 2023
1029
Ultimate Rugby

Richard Wigglesworth has named the Leicester Tigers matchday squad to play Northampton Saints at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in Round 16 of the 2022/23 Gallagher Premiership.

Hanro Liebenberg captains the side with Julián Montoya and Guy Porter the vice-captains.

The Head Coach welcomes back Freddie Burns, George Martin, Guy Porter, Anthony Watson and Jasper Wiese from injury for the 251st East Midlands Derby.

Sam Edwards will make his first Premiership appearance and Will Hurd his first Premiership start, while mid-season signings Tom West and Tom Whiteley are in line for their club debuts and Dan Richardson his first league game from the bench.

Burns, who was confirmed as departing the club next month, will make his 115th and final appearance for Leicester Tigers.

Up front, Montoya starts for the first time in five weeks alongside James Whitcombe and Hurd.

Harry Wells and Eli Snyman are the starting locks, with Liebenberg, Tommy Reffell and Wiese in the back-row.

Edwards and Handré Pollard are the half-back pairing, with Porter and Matt Scott the midfield duo.

In the back-three, Harry Potter and Watson are the starting wings with Burns at full-back.

Charlie Clare, West, Richardson, Martin and Olly Cracknell are the replacement forwards and Whiteley, Jimmy Gopperth and Harry Simmons the replacement backs.

STARTING XV

15 Freddie Burns [114]

14 Anthony Watson [10]

13 Matt Scott [57]

12 Guy Porter (vc) [53]

11 Harry Potter [56]

10 Handré Pollard [4]

9 Sam Edwards [8] **

1 James Whitcombe [34]

2 Julián Montoya (vc) [33]

3 Will Hurd [18]

4 Harry Wells [171]