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Borthwick names his Leicester Tigers side for semi-final
By Kim Ekin
Leicester Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick has named the match-day squad for Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership semi-final against Northampton Saints at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
For the first time in over a month, Julián Montoya is picked at hooker with club captain Ellis Genge and Dan Cole in the front row.
The substitute front-rowers are Charlie Clare, Nephi Leatigaga, and Joe Heyes. Heyes, who is still just 23 years old, will make his 100th appearance for Leicester Tigers if he is used.
The second-row partnership of Harry Wells and Calum Green starts, with vice-captain Hanro Liebenberg, Tommy Reffell, and Jasper Wiese forming the starting back row. Among the replacements are Ollie Chessum and George Martin.
The starting halfbacks for Saturday's semi-final versus Saints are Ben Youngs and George Ford.
In the Leicester midfield, Dan Kelly is set to make his first appearance since mid-April, alongside Matas Moroni.
Guy Porter and Harry Potter are the starting wings for the Tigers, while Freddie Steward is the starting full-back.
The backs on the bench are Jack van Poortvliet, Freddie Burns, and Nemani Nadolo.
STARTING XV
15 Freddie Steward
14 Harry Potter
13 Matías Moroni
12 Dan Kelly
11 Guy Porter
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
7 Tommy Reffell
8 Jasper Wiese
REPLACEMENTS
16 Charlie Clare
17 Nephi Leatigaga
18 Joe Heyes
19 Ollie Chessum
20 George Martin
21 Jack van Poortvliet
22 Freddie Burns
23 Nemani Nadolo
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Latest Comments
The difference between Fassi and Le Roux?
Almost 100 tests. Fassi is growing from test to test and is already world class. It’s going to be difficult for Damian Willemse to usurp Fassi at 15 and may find himself destined as the utility back on the bomb squad.
South Africans love hating on their fullback. A proud tradition since Percy Montgomery (before he won us a World Cup). So I don’t pay much mind to the noise that follows anyone who puts on the 15 jersey for SA.
15 is a high risk, low reward position. You don’t dare drop a high ball, certainly don’t shank a kick into the stands. In fact if you’re not kicking 60m torpedoes into the opposition corners - stay at home.
And miss tackles? After everyone else on the team has let a break through - best you not miss!
Only Andre Joubert strikes me as a fullback that has been better than Willie. Yet Willie has been widely panned on a regular basis. Irritating.
Fassi is great. And I’m sure he’s learning a lot from Willie.
Go to commentsNo, Penney's win rate as a Super Rugby coach BEFORE he was given a 2 year contract here, was 23%. He came in with a very poor success rate at SR level.
This loser vibe was borne out over the SR season where we won only 4 games while losing 10. Finishing 9th in a 12 team competition & missing a QF spot was next level DOWN.
There's zero evidence that suggests we will win 10 games (70%) as you predict. I understand there may be new assistant coaches coming on board. At this stage, we can only hope for the best.
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