Leicester Tigers side to play Bath Rugby

Leicester Tigers have named their team for Sunday’s New Year’s Eve clash against Bath in round ten of the Gallagher Premiership at 3pm at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in Leicester.

Academy graduate Ollie Chessum will make his 50th appearance in Tigers colours against the current leaders, with fellow pathways product Dan Kelly featuring in his 50th league fixture.

Winger Harry Simmons starts in what will be his first Premiership game of the season, with Tom Whiteley partnering Handré Pollard in the halves for the first time this campaign.

Tommy Reffell returns to boost Tigers’ backrow with Matt Rogerson earning a start at blindside flanker.

Leicester Tigers head coach, Dan McKellar said: “Last week’s performance was really disappointing, and we don’t shy away from that. but we’ve come back to Oval Park after some time with family this week, reviewed the game thoroughly and we are very clear on where we need to be better.”

“It’s a special day for Ollie Chessum making his 50th appearance for the club, particularly given he’s a local boy who’s come through our Academy.

“Playing New Year’s Eve in front of a packed house at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, there’ll be a massive buzz come 3pm on Sunday and we’re looking forward to it.”

STARTING XV

15 Freddie Steward [78]

14 Harry Simmons [35]

13 Dan Kelly [69]

12 Solomone Kata [8]

11 Mike Brown [17]

10 Handré Pollard [21]

9 Tom Whiteley [18]

1 James Cronin [23]

2 Julián Montoya (c) [48]

3 Joe Heyes [133]

4 George Martin [70]

5 Ollie Chessum [49] *

6 Matt Rogerson [11]

7 Tommy Reffell [106]

8 Jasper Wiese [67]

REPLACEMENTS

16 Finn Theobold-Thomas [3]

17 Francois van Wyk [42]

18 Will Hurd [34]

19 Harry Wells [186]

20 Kyle Hatherell [9]

21 Olly Cracknell [30]

22 Joe Powell [7]

23 Jamie Shillcock [14]

*50th Leicester Tigers appearance

NOTES

• Ollie Chessum’s 50th appearance for his boyhood club.
• Dan Kelly makes his 50th league appearance
• Harry Simmons first league appearance of the season
• Unavailable through injury: Ben Youngs, Anthony Watson, Jack van Poortvliet, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Josh Bassett, Matt Scott, Guy Porter, Charlie Clare, Nic Dolly, Archie Vanes