Tigers field their 'international' team
Fri, 09 May 2008 13:14
Leicester Tigers head coach Marcelo Loffreda has named 11 internationals in his starting line-up for this Saturday's must-win Guinness Premiership clash with Harlequins at Welford Road.
Loffreda named six of the backline that featured in last weekend's match at Newcastle, with Johne Murphy returning from a two-game injury absence to claim the left wing berth.
In the forward pack, Boris Stankovich and Mefin Davies come into the front row, with Ben Herring shaking off an injury to start on the openside flank.
Club captain Martin Corry is named at No.6, with England Saxons skipper Jordan Crane selected at No.8.
Having recently signed a new contract with Tigers, the league's current top try-scorer Tom Varndell will be looking to build on the brace of tries he scored last weekend as Tigers go in search of the victory that would secure qualification for next season's Heineken Cup.
A bonus-point win over Quins could also keep alive Tigers' hopes of making the Premiership play-offs, with results elsewhere determining the club's final league placing.
"Our first goal has to be to bounce back from Sunday's disappointment at Newcastle and gain the win that would allow us to qualify for the Heineken Cup," said Loffreda. "After that, we can consider what has happened in other games and see where we finish in the league table.
"It has been a long season but we have prepared for this game as well as we possibly can and now the team must be at its best for the final time in the league at Welford Road.
"Harlequins have been in very good form and they come to Welford Road looking to finish in the top-four. We know we face a tough task but the players are ready for that and are looking forward to it. We want to finish our games at Welford Road on a high and a win would be a good way to do that."
Tigers: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Tom Varndell, 13 Dan Hipkiss, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11
Johne Murphy, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Harry Ellis, 8 Jordan Crane, 7 Ben Herring, 6 Martin Corry (captain), 5 Ben Kay, 4 Marco Wentzel, 3 Julian White, 2 Mefin Davies, 1 Boris Stankovich.
Replacements: 16 George Chuter, 17 Marcos Ayerza, 18 Richard Blaze, 19 Tom Croft, 20 Christophe Laussucq, 21 Sam Vesty, 22 Ayoola Erinle.
Date: Saturday, May 10
Venue: Welford Road, Leicester
Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 GMT)
Referee: Wayne Barnes
Touch judges: Robin Goodliffe, Paul Dix
TMO: Brian Abrahams
