Springbok Wiese ready for his Tigers farewell
SCOTT AND VAN WYK ALSO PLAYING LAST GAMES FOR LEICESTER
SOUTH African international Jasper Wiese brings the curtain down on his Leicester Tigers career at Mattioli Woods Welford Road this afternoon.
The number eight World Cup winner, along with centre Matt Scott and prop Francois van Wyk, will play their final matches for Tigers against Exeter Chiefs in the Gallagher Premiership (3.05pm kick-off ).
Captain Julián Montoya returns to the team for the last match of the season, Mike Brown is back from suspension to take his place on the wing while Kieran Wilkinson could make his Tigers league debut before joining Newcastle Falcons in the summer.
Tigers head coach Dan McKellar said: “Setting this season aside, Saturday’s an important day for our club and we’re determined to send our fans off with a smile on their face and to give our departing players one more happy memory at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
“I’ve been genuinely overwhelmed by the way our supporters turn up week in, week out and I know the players will feed off their energy on Saturday.”
Director of rugby Rob Baxter has made two changes to his Exeter Chiefs matchday squad as they try to claim a top four spot.
In the front row, Max Norey moves into the starting line-up for club captain Jack Yeandle, who took a knee knock in last weekend’s fixture.
He starts alongside experienced duo Scott Sio and Marcus Street.
The second and back row from the Harlequins win remains intact as Jack Dunne partners captain Dafydd Jenkins in the boiler room. The confronting back row is formed by Ethan Roots, Jacques Vermeulen and Greg Fisilau.
Following a player of the match performance in Round 17, Harvey Skinner retains his place at fly-half with Tom Cairns again his scrumhalf, while the newly re-signed Henry Slade pairs up with Joe Hawkins in the centre for a third consecutive week.
Having scored three tries between them last week, the back three is made up of Dan John, Olly Woodburn and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
Baxter says he expects the fixture to be a fierce battle.
“Leicester are a proud club, this weekend they’re going to want to put on a performance like we did last weekend in their last home game,” he said.
“We’re very aware that we’ve got to turn up and perform very well.
“I’m expecting Tigers to be very competitive. Away wins are something to be cherished, and they have been all season in the Premiership. Nobody has given away their home fixtures easily at any stage.
“Going away to Leicester trying to get yourself into the top four should always be a big game, and a tough game, so that’s what we’re expecting.”
Leicester Tigers: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Mike Brown, 13 Matt Scott, 12 Dan Kelly, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 1 Francois van Wyk, 2 Julián Montoya (c), 3 Dan Cole, 4 George Martin, 5 Harry Wells, 6 Hanro Liebenberg, 7 Tommy Reffell, 8 Jasper Wiese.
Replacements: 16 Charlie Clare, 17 James Cronin, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Finn Carnduff, 20 Olly Cracknell, 21 Tom Whiteley, 22 Kieran Wilkinson, 23 Solomone Kata.
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Dan John, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Tom Cairns, 1 Scott Sio, 2 Max Norey, 3 Marcus Street, 4 Jack Dunne, 5 Dafydd Jenkins (c), 6 Ethan Roots, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 8 Greg Fisilau.
Replacements: 16 Dan Frost, 17 Billy Keast, 18 Ehren Painter, 19 Christ Tshiunza, 20 Ross Vintcent, 21 Niall Armstrong, 22 Will Haydon-Wood, 23 Zack Wimbush.