Excitement is in the air as James O'Connor returns to lead Leicester Tigers in the PREM Cup! Neil Fowkes has unveiled his lineup for the highly anticipated match against Northampton Saints scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.
In a significant boost for the team, both James O'Connor and Izaia Perese are making their way back into the starting XV after showing impressive form off the bench last weekend. Their return marks a pivotal moment in their recovery from injuries, promising to enhance the team's performance.
At the helm of the squad, Hanro Liebenberg will serve as captain from the number eight position, bringing a wealth of experience alongside Harry Wells, who adds depth and leadership to a roster that includes some exciting emerging talents.
The backline showcases a blend of youth and seasoned players. Ollie Allan will join O'Connor in the half-back pairing, while the formidable centre combination of Joseph Woodward and Izaia Perese aims to create opportunities for the speedy wingers, Ryan Crowley and George Pearson, poised to make an impact on the flanks. Orlando Bailey is set to take the fullback position, rounding out a dynamic offensive setup.
Fowkes expressed his enthusiasm about returning to the PREM Cup stage, stating, "We’re thrilled to be back in the PREM Cup again. The first leg was favorable for us, but we’re not taking anything for granted."
He further emphasized the significance of this matchup, noting, “Any game against the Saints is monumental for us. We understand how much it means to our supporters, and we are committed to delivering a performance that makes them proud on Saturday.”
Here’s how the Leicester Tigers lineup looks:
- Orlando Bailey (14 appearances)
- George Pearson (11 appearances)
- Izaia Perese (20 appearances)
- Joseph Woodward (46 appearances)
- Ryan Crowley (3 appearances)
- James O’Connor (5 appearances)
- Ollie Allan (15 appearances)
- Archie Van Der Flier (12 appearances)
- Finn Theobold-Thomas (25 appearances)
- Will Hurd (64 appearances)
- Harry Wells (227 appearances)
- Tom Manz (19 appearances)
- Harry Palmer (4 appearances)
- Sam Williams (10 appearances)
- Hanro Liebenberg © (139 appearances)
Substitutes:
16. Charlie Clare (137 appearances)
17. Tarek Haffar (12 appearances)
18. Ale Loman (9 appearances)
19. Josh Manz (15 appearances)
20. George Marsh (1 appearance)
21. Charlie Bemand (3 appearances)
22. Wilf McCarthy (0* appearances)
23. Kesena Izu (0* appearances)
With such a diverse mix of talent and experience, the team is gearing up for what promises to be an exhilarating match. What do you think about the strategic choices made by Fowkes? Are there any players you believe should have been included in the starting lineup? Share your thoughts!
