Steward set for 100th PREM start

Freddie Steward is set for his 100th PREM start as Leicester Tigers travel to Ashton Gate to face Bristol Bears in the Gallagher PREM on Friday night.

The full back retains his record of starting in every Gallagher PREM and Investec Champions Cup match this season, and will be coming into the match on a high, having scored the bonus-point securing try against local rivals Northampton Saints last weekend.

The forwards remain unchanged from the Derby against Saints, with Ollie Chessum captaining the side from the second row.

There are three alterations in the backline. Tom Whiteley, Ollie Hassell-Collins and Orlando Bailey all come back into the side, replacing Jack van Poortvliet, Gabriel Hamer-Webb and Will Wand - all of whom will likely make an appearance from the bench.

Sol Kata will make the short trip to outside centre to make room for Bailey to start at 12.

Among the substitutes is a return from injury for Elliott Stooke. The second rower joined from Red Hurricanes over the off-season and is set for his first official Tigers appearance.

Geoff Parling commented, "It’s important we finish this block of PREM games well before we break as a group over the November period."

"We know that we will need to be right at the top of our game and be both accurate and decisive in order to beat a quality Bristol outfit."

Leicester Tigers (appearances)

15. Freddie Steward (136)
14. Adam Radwan (39)
13. Solomone Kata (61)
12. Orlando Bailey (34)
11. Ollie Hassell-Collins (79)
10. Billy Searle (30)
9. Tom Whiteley (73)
1. Archie Van der Flier (30)
2. Jamie Blamire (30)
3. Joe Heyes (187)
4. Cameron Henderson (93)
5. Ollie Chessum (c) (88)
6. Aaron Wainwright (4)
7. Finn Carnduff (24)
8. Olly Cracknell (92)

Replacements:

16. Samiuela Moli (6)
17. Mako Vunipola (5)
18. Will Hurd (84)
19. Elliott Stooke (0)
20. Joaquin Moro (34)
21. Jack Van Poortvliet (119)
22. Will Wand (46)
23. Gabriel Hamer-Webb (21)