England trio return for Tigers clash
FORD AND GENGE IN STARTING LINE-UP, MARTIN ON THE BENCH
ENGLAND internationals George Ford, Ellis Genge and George Martin all return for Leicester Tigers against Newcastle Falcons tomorrow (3pm).
Fly-half Ford and loosehead prop Genge go from the start while Martin, who made his Test debut from the bench against Ireland, is among the replacements selected by head coach Steve Borthwick.
There is no place in the 23-man squad for Ben Youngs, who started all five of his country’s Guinness Six Nations games to move to 109 international caps.
Also returning to the Tigers lineup is number eight Jasper Wiese, who has completed his four-week suspension following his red card against Wasps.
Kobus van Wyk begins his ban following his dismissal last time out against Exeter Chiefs – his place is taken by Harry Potter.
Richard Wigglesworth starts at scrum-half and will partner up with Ford – who makes his 99th appearance for the club – for the first time together for Tigers.
Dan Kelly retains his place at inside-centre and is joined by Argentina international Matías Moroni in the midfield.
Speaking about the matchday squad named, Borthwick said: “It is great to welcome George, Ellis and George back to our squad for Sunday’s game against Newcastle.
“We were very proud of their efforts and the way they and Ben Youngs all represented Leicester Tigers in this year’s Six Nations.
“It’s also pleasing to have Jasper back in our pack and to see Harry Potter rewarded with his first start for the club since Round 2 of the Premiership season.”
Previewing tomorrow’s fixture against the Falcons, Borthwick said: “Newcastle have had a very good season so far and we are looking forward to the challenge on Sunday afternoon.
“They are a quality side, in good form, with very good players and it is important we deliver a performance our supporters will be proud of at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.”
Alex Tait makes his 250th appearance for Newcastle Falcons tomorrow.
England flanker Mark Wilson returns to captain the side, with centre Pete Lucock making his first Premiership start after coming on twice as a replacement during the opening fortnight of the league campaign.
Newcastle’s director of rugby Dean Richards is not the only member of his family who used to wear a Tigers shirt – his grandfather Rex Skelton played more than a century of games for the club.
Richards said: “They (Tigers) have gone back to their old traditional ways, from what I’ve seen.
“They have a strong set-piece, they love a line-out maul and they’re a big set of lads.
“Their half-backs control a lot of the play, and whenever you go down to Welford Road the set-piece battle is always massive.”
Leicester Tigers: 15 Freddie Steward; 14 Harry Potter, 13 Matías Moroni, 12 Dan Kelly, 11 Kini Murimurivalu, 10 George Ford, 9 Richard Wigglesworth; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Tom Youngs (c), 3 Dan Cole, 4 Harry Wells, 5 Calum Green, 6 Hanro Liebenberg. 7 Tommy Reffell, 8 Jasper Wiese.
Replacements: 16 Charlie Clare, 17 Luan de Bruin, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Cameron Henderson, 20 George Martin, 21 Jack Van Poortvliet,
Newcastle Falcons: 15 Alex Tait, 14 George Wacokecoke, 13 Pete Lucock, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Ben Stevenson, 10 Joel Hodgson, 9 Louis Schreuder, 1 Adam Brocklebank, 2 Jamie Blamire, 3 Jon Welsh, 4 Darren Barry, 5 Sean Robinson, 6 Will Welch, 7 Mark Wilson (c), 8 Callum Chick.
Replacements: 16 George McGuigan, 17 Kyle Cooper, 18 Mark Tampin, 19 Connor Collett, 20 Philip van der Walt, 21 Sam Stuart, 22 Brett Connon, 23 Morgan Passman.