Leicester Tigers Team News

Geoff Parling has named his side to face Newcastle Red Bulls on Saturday, with four changes to the squad ahead of the second PREM round of the season.

James Thompson and Orlando Bailey come into the side having been replacements against Saracens last-time out. Tom Manz returns from his season-long loan deal with Cardiff Blues to replace Kiwi Thompson on the bench.

 Bailey comes into the side at inside centre to replace Joseph Woodward, with last season's 2x PREM Player of the Month winner Will Wand coming into the 22 shirt.

Gabriel Hamer-Webb starts on the wing after scoring a hat-trick of tries against Saracens last weekend, while Adam Radwan faces his former club in the 14 shirt.

Freddie Steward is the starting fullback, while Solomone Kata retains his shirt after a barnstorming performance of power and pace last time out.

The half-backs remain unchanged from Round 1, with Billy Searle partnering with Jack Van Poortvliet - who captains the side once again.

Mako Vunipola, Samiuela Moli and Joe Heyes again make up the front row, with the aforementioned Thompson and Cameron Henderson as the locks.

Once again, Tigers' back row is made up of the all-Welsh contingent of Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell and Olly Cracknell.

Speaking about the fixture on Tyneside, Parling said, "Newcastle have spoken openly about how they want to play, and you can see the attacking threats that they pose, so this is a great test for our work-rate and defensive resolve. We head up to Kingston Park knowing that this is another opportunity to show how much we care for the bloke next to us."

"Unfortunately Finn (Carnduff) picked up an injury last week so we’ve called Manzy (Tom Manz) back from Cardiff and look forward to seeing what he can do off the bench."

Leicester Tigers (appearances) 

15. Freddie Steward (132)
14. Adam Radwan (35)
13. Solomone Kata (59)
12. Orlando Bailey (30) 
11. Gabriel Hamer-Webb (17)
10. Billy Searle (26)
9. Jack van Poortvliet © (115)
1. Mako Vunipola (2)
2. Samiuela Moli (3)
3. Joe Heyes (184)
4. James Thompson (16) 
5. Cameron Henderson (89)
6. Aaron Wainwright (1) 
7. Tommy Reffell (158)
8. Olly Cracknell (88)

Replacements 

16. Corbin Thunder (0)
17. Tarek Haffar (22)
18. Will Hurd (80)
19. Tom Manz (24) 
20. Joaquin Moro (30)
21. Tom Whiteley (69)
22. Will Wand (42)
23. Ollie Hassell-Collins (76)