News

Preview: Leicester v Harlequins

May 09 2008

Leicester Tigers head coach Marcelo Loffreda has named 11 internationals in his starting line up for this Saturday's must-win clash with Harlequins at Welford Road.

Loffreda names 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 openside flank, with England Saxons skipper Jordan Crane selected at number eight.

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."

Meanwhile, Harlequins will see four changes to the starting line up which faced Sale Sharks last Sunday.

In the front row, hooker, Chris Brooker, comes in to replace the injured Tani Fuga, with Aston Croall filling the spot on the bench. Nick Easter comes back into the number eight position, putting Tom Guest on the bench.

In the backs, Chris Malone returns to fly-half, putting Adrian Jarvis on the bench. With Ugo Monye still injured from last week's match against Sale, David Strettle moves to outside centre.

It will be an emotional occasion for many Quins supporters when Simon Keogh pulls on the multi-coloured jersey for his last Premiership league fixture for the club, partnering Tom Williams on the wing.

We travel to Leicester for the climax of this season's fixture list," said Harlequins Director of Rugby, Dean Richards.

"It will no doubt be a huge game for both players and supporters and I am looking forward to it being a well fought match.

"It is a young and talented squad who will be making the journey to Welford Road tomorrow. We haven't given up the fourth spot yet and we are still in with a shout."

Form: Defending Guinness Premiership champions, Leicester Tigers, have only won one of their last five matches in all competitions and secured just a dozen league points from their last six games in the Guinness Premiership.

Harlequins have now slipped to back to back defeats in the Guinness Premiership to London Irish and Sale. 'Quins are still in with a chance of achieving their best ever Premiership finish - 4th in season 1998/99.

Leicester have won their last nine matches with Harlequins in all competitions since 'Quins won 26-23 at the Stoop in the Wildcard playoff 1st leg on 14 May 2003. Harlequins have not won at Welford Road in the Premiership - their last win there being 13-12 in the old Division One on 26 April 1997.

The Teams:

Leicester 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 (c), 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.

Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Tom Williams, 13 David Strettle, 12 Tosh Masson, 11 Simon Keogh, 10 Chris Malone, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Will Skinner(c), 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 George Robson,4 James Percival, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Chris Brooker, 1 Ceri Jones.

Replacements: 16 Aston Croall, 17 John Brook, 18 Jim Evans, 19 Tom Guest, 20 Steven So'oialo, 21 Adrian Jarvis, 22 De Wet Barry.

Date: Saturday, May 10

Venue: Welford Road

Kick-off: 15:00 (14:00 GMT)

Referee: Wayne Barnes

Touch judges: Robin Goodliffe, Paul Dix

Assessor: Clive Leeke

Television match official: Brian Abrahams