Tom Youngs returns to captain Leicester Tigers
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Steve Borthwick has named the Leicester Tigers matchday squad to take on Harlequins in Round 19 of the Premiership season.
Tom Youngs returns to captain the side at hooker alongside Ellis Genge and Dan Cole in the front row, with Harry Wells and Calum Green making up the Tigers tight five.
George Martin and Tommy Reffell are the Leicester flankers, taking the tally to six in the Tigers forward pack to have graduated from the club’s academy programme.
Jasper Wiese, who came off the bench against Sale Sharks in Round 18, is named to start at No8 in the Tigers back row.
In the Leicester backline, Borthwick has named the experienced pairing of Ben Youngs and George Ford as the half-backs, with youngster Dan Kelly joined in the Tigers midfield by Matt Scott.
Freddie Steward returns at full-back and is joined by wings Nemani Nadolo and Guy Porter in the back three.
Charlie Clare, Luan de Bruin, Joe Heyes, Hanro Liebenberg and Cyle Brink are the replacement forwards, with Richard Wigglesworth, Zack Henry and Kini Murimurivalu included as the backs on the Leicester bench.
Speaking about the matchday squad, Borthwick said: “We are working towards the best 80 minutes possible in each and every position – whether a player is starting the game or coming on to the field and finishing the game, we want to put together the best 80 minutes we can.”
Previewing Saturday's fixture against Harlequins, the Tigers head coach added: “They’re a very good side, in very good form and come to Mattioli Woods Welford Road on the back of some recent big wins in the Premiership.
“The bedrock of their game is a very strong kicking game, directed well by Danny Care and Marcus Smith, which gets them into those positions to attack.
“They have a squad filled with experience and world-class players, who have played a lot of rugby together for their club.
“We are looking forward to coming up against a team of that quality as we are always eager to test ourselves against the best teams in the league.”
Leicester Tigers (v Harlequins, Mattioli Woods Welford Road, Saturday 3.30pm)
15 Freddie Steward [31]
14 Guy Porter [16]
13 Matt Scott [21]
12 Dan Kelly [16]
11 Nemani Nadolo [11]
10 George Ford [103]
9 Ben Youngs [259]
1 Ellis Genge [84]
2 Tom Youngs (c) [211]
3 Dan Cole [259]
4 Harry Wells [119]
5 Calum Green [58]
6 George Martin [13]
7 Tommy Reffell [43]
8 Jasper Wiese [15]
Replacements
16 Charlie Clare [30]
17 Luan de Bruin [16]
18 Joe Heyes [66]
19 Hanro Liebenberg [31]
20 Cyle Brink [15]
21 Richard Wigglesworth [12]
22 Zack Henry [22]
23 Kini Murimurivalu [18]
