Tonga's debut for Tigers in PREM Cup

Tonga Kofe makes his first appearance for Leicester Tigers in Friday night's PREM Cup clash against Newcastle Red Bulls.

The USA Eagles tight head prop makes his debut at Kingston Park as Tigers seek to extend their winning start to the competition following Group B wins over Saracens and Harlequins.

Kofe will then link up with the Eagles squad ahead of matches against Georgia (in Batumi, November 8) and Romania (in Bucharest, November 15).

The Tigers wins over Saracens and Harlequins put them on top of their group ahead of the trip to Newcastle and the visit of Northampton Saints (November 21).

The majority of the side to face Newcastle have featured in the Gallagher PREM this season, including captain Joseph Woodward alongside Orlando Bailey and Will Wand in midfield.

Senior Academy players George Pearson and Sam Williams are included in the starting line-up and hooker John Stewart will make his debut for the club if he comes on the bench.

Also among the replacements is former England Under 20 prop Tubuna Maka and more academy prospects including Harry Palmer, Charlie Bemand and Tom Threlfall.

The coaching team for this game is led by Neil Fowkes and Brett Deacon will be in charge against Saints.

Leicester Tigers
15 Charlie Titcombe
14 Gabriel Hamer-Webb
13 Will Wand
12 Joseph Woodward (C)
11 George Pearson
10 Orlando Bailey
9 Ollie Allan
1 Tarek Haffar
2 Finn Theobald Thomas
3 Tonga Kofe
4 Harry Wells
5 Tom Manz
6 Josh Manz
7 Sam Williams
8 Joaquin Moro

Replacements
16 John Stewart
17 Tubuna Maka
18 Ale Loman
19 James Thompson
20 Harry Palmer
21 Charlie Bemand
22 Ryan Crowley
23 Tom Threlfall