Kiwi to debut in Tigers opener
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:31
Leicester Tigers will give debuts to off-season signings George Skivington and Thomas Waldrom in Sunday's Aviva Premiership opener against Northampton Saints.
Second row forward Skivington and No.8 Waldrom - who joined from New Zealand side, the Crusaders - join a starting XV which includes nine of the players who started the Premiership Final in May.
"We've had a good pre-season, we've improved over the weeks, but now we'll see exactly how those preparations have gone," said Tigers Director of Rugby Richard Cockerill.
"Northampton are a good side, they have good individuals and work well as a team, and they had a good season last year. It's a tough start and it's going to be a big challenge.
"Two good sides should make for a good game."
Richard Blaze (foot), Geoff Parling (neck), Louis Deacon (back) and Jordan Crane (ankle) were not considered for selection due to injury, and Tom Croft will have to wait to make his first appearance of the season.
"Crofty has been carrying a bit of a knock in pre-season and, although he's training again, we decided to give him a bit more time," said Cockerill.
Ed Slater is included among the forwards replacements, and there is a place in the 23 for Manu Tuilagi, the youngest of the famous Samoan family but who is yet to make his competitive debut for the club.
Leicester Tigers: 15 Geordan Murphy (captain), 14 Scott Hamilton, 13 Dan Hipkiss, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Ben Woods, 6 Craig Newby, 5 George Skivington, 4 Calum Green, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 George Chuter, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 Joe Duffey, 17 Boris Stankovich, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Ed Slater, 20 Ben Pienaar, 21 James Grindal, 22 Jeremy Staunton, 23 Manu Tuilagi.
Date: Sunday, September 5
Venue: Franklin's Gardens, Northampton
Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 GMT)
Referee: Dave Pearson
Assistant referees: Paul Dix, Alan Hughes
TMO: Graham Hughes
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