Tigers v London Irish (H] - Sunday 27th November 2022 KO 3pm

[Tigerbeat]

Steve Borthwick has named the Leicester Tigers matchday squad to play London Irish on Sunday (November 27) in Round 11 of the Gallagher Premiership season.
In the club’s first home league game in 50 days, Borthwick welcomes back a sextet of internationals for the clash with The Exiles at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
Julián Montoya, Tommy Reffell, Joe Heyes, Jasper Wiese and Guy Porter return from international duty, while Ollie Chessum is in line for his first league appearance in eight weeks after recovering from a leg injury.
Hanro Liebenberg captains the side, with Montoya and Richard Wigglesworth named as vice-captains.
James Whitcombe makes his first league appearance and first start of the campaign alongside Montoya and Dan Cole in the front row, while George Martin is included in the second row – partnering Calum Green – for the first time this season.

In just his sixth outing of the season, Reffell joins Liebenberg and Olly Cracknell in the back row.

The starting backline is unchanged from the last Gallagher Premiership fixture, a fortnight ago away to Bath Rugby.

Nemani Nadolo, who will start on the wing, will make his 43rd and final appearance for Leicester Tigers ahead of linking up with Australian Super Rugby side, the NSW Waratahs in 2023.

In their return to league action, the quartet of Heyes, Chessum, Wiese and Porter are included on the Leicester bench alongside Charlie Clare, Francois van Wyk, Sam Edwards and Charlie Atkinson.
If used, Edwards will make his Premiership debut and Atkinson his first Tigers appearance at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
Jack van Poortvliet, Freddie Steward and Ben Youngs are unavailable for selection after being included in the England side to face South Africa on Saturday at Twickenham.

STARTING XV
15 Anthony Watson [4]
14 Chris Ashton [18]
13 Harry Potter [47]
12 Matt Scott [52]
11 Nemani Nadolo [42]
10 Freddie Burns [109]
9 Richard Wigglesworth (vc) [40]
1 James Whitcombe [27]
2 Julián Montoya (vc) [29]
3 Dan Cole [297]
4 George Martin [45]
5 Calum Green [96]
6 Hanro Liebenberg (c) [66]
7 Tommy Reffell [83]
8 Olly Cracknell [7]

REPLACEMENTS
16 Charlie Clare [59]
17 Francois van Wyk [24]
18 Joe Heyes [106]
19 Ollie Chessum [34]
20 Jasper Wiese [47]
21 Sam Edwards [8]
22 Charlie Atkinson [2]
23 Guy Porter [47]

[TigerFeetSteve]

Chessum back from injury...

Martin first start at lock

Porter on the bench

Whitcombe start

Nadolo's last game

So many great stories in there.

[Rugbygramps]

Chessum back from injury...

Martin first start at lock

Porter on the bench

Whitcombe start

Nadolo's last game

So many great stories in there.

Other than Itoje England are looking very average at lock. IMO Martin is starting where he should be starting and hopefully we will see him and Chessum in tandem.

[ads]

Nemani Nadolo, who will start on the wing, will make his 43rd and final appearance for Leicester Tigers

Other than that, I like that team. I really want Potter to become a good 13.

[Rugbygramps]

Not sure if the appearance figure is total games or premiership appearances but if it’s total games The Colar Bear will be in line for his 300th game in the home game v Clermont. That’s some record when you take into account England and Lions games that’s over 400 top level fixtures for a tight head.

[Soggypitch]

Good team, good bench. Must win game!!

[Scott1]

So Porter isn't travelling with England then? Or is there an agreement?

[Scott1]

Good team, good bench. Must win game!!

Yes it is a must win!

[RagingBull]

Wonder if this might be the start of Martin transition to lock?

Would make the Willis rumours more likely as well.

Martin, O.Chessum would compliment each other well.

[Rugbygramps]

Wonder if this might be the start of Martin transition to lock?

Would make the Willis rumours more likely as well.

Martin, O.Chessum would compliment each other well.

With Henderson coming through too would make for a high quality trio and mean investment could be made elsewhere

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

Montoya v Creevy an absolute delight!

Think Nems will be wanting to go out on a high....at least one big full tilt run at the Irish 10 as a minimum.

[loretta]

Think Nems will be wanting to go out on a high....at least one big full tilt run at the Irish 10 as a minimum.

Then reverse and do it again, just to make sure. The ball need not be involved

[kpj tiger]

Wonder if this might be the start of Martin transition to lock?

Would make the Willis rumours more likely as well.

Martin, O.Chessum would compliment each other well.

I could see Martin and Chessum being an England pairing at some point, that said I could also see a Chessum and Chessum pairing eventually as well!

[TigerFeetSteve]

So Porter isn't travelling with England then? Or is there an agreement?

With this being a Sunday game and the England being Saturday, he may well be a travelling reserve, but if there's no injuries he'll join us and play... if he's needed for England then I expect we'll make a late change too

[CrumblingTerrace]

Hmm... I think there are a few players (Burns, Potter, Ashton) quite lucky to have kept their places, despite indifferent form.