Van Wyk back from injury to boost Tigers’ backline FORD, YOUNGS AND GENGE FACE BATH AS PREMIERSHIP ACTION RETURNS
SOUTH African Kobus van Wyk returns from injury to join Freddie Steward, Jaco Taute, Matt Scott and Nemani Nadolo in Leicester Tigers’ backline for their opening match of 2021 against Bath tomorrow (3pm) at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
England international colleagues George Ford and Ben Youngs are selected at half-back, and Ellis Genge and Dan Cole return to the front row, either side of captain Tom Youngs, with Harry Wells and Calum Green selected at lock.
George Martin, who is among eight Tigers academy graduates in the starting line-up, returns from injury to join South African duo Hanro Liebenberg and Jasper Wiese in the back row.
Fiji international Kini Murimurivalu is among the replacements, with Jack Van Poortvliet and Zack Henry providing the other cover in the backline.
Charlie Clare, Nephi Leatigaga, Joe Heyes, Cameron Henderson and Luke Wallace are the forwards named on the bench.
In the absence of head coach Steve Borthwick, the team will be coached by Mike Ford, Aled Walters and Brett Deacon, assisted by Matt Smith and Tom Harrison.
Following two cancelled fixtures in recent weeks following Covid-19 outbreaks, Bath make three changes to the side that last faced Scarlets in the Heineken Champions Cup at the Rec.
Semesa Rokoduguni comes in on the wing for Joe Cokanasiga and there is the return of Rhys Priestland in the number 10 jersey.
He replaces Josh Matavesi who suffered concussion against Worcester Warriors in their Round 3 Premiership fixture. After a good performance against Scarlets off the bench, Zach Mercer returns to the starting XV, pushing Taulupe Faletau to blindside.
Tonga n-born Faletau will be making his 50th appearance for the Blue, Black and White in what is his first Premiership appearance since returning from international duty with Wales. Also returning to the Premiership scene following their Autumn Nations Cup triumph with England is Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Will Stuart and Sam Underhill.
Leicester Tigers: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Jaco Taute, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Tom Youngs (c), 3 Dan Cole, 4 Harry Wells, 5 Calum Green, 6 George Martin, 7
Hanro Liebenberg, 8 Jasper Wiese Replacements: 16 Charlie Clare, 17 Nephi Leatigaga, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Cameron Henderson, 20 Luke Wallace, 21 Jack van Poortvliet, 22 Zack
Henry, 23 Kini Murimurivalu
Bath: 15 Anthony Watson, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Cameron Redpath, 11 Ruaridh McConnochie, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Ben Spencer, 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Will Stuart, 4 Josh McNally, 5 Charlie Ewels (c), 6 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Zach Mercer
Replacements: 16 Jack Walker, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Christian Judge, 19 Elliott Stooke, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 Miles Reid, 22 Will Chudley, 23 Josh Matavesi