Porter given task of taming Bears
TIGERS FANS TO SAY FARWELL
GUY Porter will make his first start at inside centre in nearly 600 days as Leicester Tigers tackle Bristol Bears this afternoon (3pm).
The versatile back, below, who has played on both wings and at outside centre on his way to contributing seven tries in 22 appearances this season, will be tasked with filling the
12 shirt following
Dan Kelly’s hamstring injury a fortnight ago.
Porter made his debut in the position back in August
2020 and his last start there came the following month in a heavy defeat to
Wasps at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
There’s welcome news in the front row as Argentina captain Julian Montoya starts after missing out on the Clermont Auvergne second leg and last week’s trip to Harlequins.
He packs down alongside Dan Cole, who wears number three for the first time in 11 weeks after a hat-trick of substitute appearances. Elsewhere in the pack, in the continued absences of Marco van Staden and George Martin, the back row consists of Hanro Liebenberg, Tommy Reffell and Jasper Wiese.
Olly Robinson and Eli Snyman provide the second and back row cover, as Ollie Chessum is not included in the matchday squad.
Loosehead prop James Whitcombe is the only Leicester Tigers player doubling up from Tuesday night’s Premiership Rugby Cup defeat to London Irish.
He is named on the bench after being replaced at half-time at the Brentford Community Stadium.
In the backs, Freddie Steward returns at full-back and Chris Ashton makes only his third Premiership start for Tigers as he seeks the try that will see him becoming the competition’s leading marksman.
There’s a bundle of experience on the bench with Richard Wigglesworth, Freddie Burns and Nemani Nadolo all waiting for their shot to extend a 15-game winning run at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, dating back to Bristol’s last visit in June 2021.
“We are excited to be back home again and looking forward to seeing another packed, loud crowd at Mattioli Woods Welford Road,” said Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick.
“The day will be extra special as we honour the contribution of Tom Youngs to Leicester Tigers and say thank you to a legend of our club, which I have no doubt the supporters will join us in doing.”
Bristol welcome back Charles Piutau at full-back but remain without fellow superstar Semi Radradra in their midfield as Jack Bates fills the 13 shirt.
Harry Randall, who started three of England’s Six Nations games ahead of Ben Youngs earlier this year, is at scrum-half while Harry Thacker will play against his old club for the 17th time having scored four times across those games.
John Afoa, who was at the centre of the storm towards the end of the last meeting between the two sides at Welford Road, will pack down against Ellis Genge from the start.
Borthwick added: “Bristol have an incredible squad, full of worldclass players.
“They are incredibly dangerous with ball in hand and you can see how much they enjoy that style, playing from anywhere on the pitch.”
TO YOUNGS ON EMOTIONAL DAY
Leicester Tigers: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Matías Moroni, 12 Guy Porter, 11 Harry Potter; 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Ellis Genge (c), 2 Julián Montoya, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Harry Wells, 5 Calum Green, 6 Hanro Liebenberg (vc), 7 Tommy Reffell, 8 Jasper Wiese
Replacements: 16 Charlie Clare, 17 James Whitcombe, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Eli Snyman, 20 Olly Robinson, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Freddie Burns, 23 Nemani Nadolo