Tigers Vs Chiefs - Sat 3.05pm

[FKAS]

Leicester Tigers have named their match day squad for Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership clash at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Head coach, Michael Cheika has made two change to Leicester’s starting team with wing Josh Bassett starting in the 14 jersey, and Harry Wells starting at lock in place of George Martin.

Flanker Matt Rogerson come onto the bench to add to an experienced Tigers finishing group.

Speaking to media ahead of the game, Cheika said: "I thought (against Harlequins), we showed good resilience in the game."

"We'll be challenged in many areas this week because they're a good team. We certainly won't be fooled by the table or anything there. They've got good pedigree, great coach and excellent players.

"We're focusing on what's going to be strong for us around the game and make sure that turns up on Saturday."

STARTING XV

15 Freddie Steward [98]
14 Josh Bassett [21]
13 Dan Kelly [88]
12 Solomone Kata [28]
11 Ollie Hassell-Collins [34]
10 Handré Pollard [40]
9 Jack van Poortvliet [83]
1 Nicky Smith [10]
2 Julián Montoya (C) [65]
3 Joe Heyes [151]
4 Cameron Henderson [50]
5 Harry Wells [207]
6 Hanro Liebenberg [118]
7 Tommy Reffell [124]
8 Olly Cracknell [53]

REPLACEMENTS

16 Charlie Clare [106]
17 James Whitcombe [58]
18 Dan Cole [331]
19 Jed Holloway [4]
20 Matt Rogerson [21]
21 Ben Youngs [324]
22 Jamie Shillcock [38]
23 Joseph Woodward [18]

Exeter Chiefs team
15 Josh Hodge
14 Ben Hammersley
13 Zack Wimbush
12 Tamati Tua
11 Tommy Wyatt
10 Henry Slade
9 Stu Townsend
1 Scott Sio
2 Dan Frost
3 Marcus Street
4 Dafydd Jenkins (c)
5 Franco Molina
6 Ethan Roots
7 Jacques Vermeulen
8 Greg Fisilau

Replacements:

16 Jack Innard
17 Will Goodrick-Clarke
18 Josh Iosefa-Scott
19 Rusi Tuima
20 Richard Capstick
21 Tom Cairns
22 Will Haydon-Wood
23 Will Rigg

[FKAS]

It's going to be cloudy and cold in Leicester tomorrow with a bit of a breeze. I'm expecting both teams to er on the physical game up front but you never know.

[Scrumhead]

Wimbush back from injury to see if he can justify the hype he was getting at the end of last season.

Just in time for Gatland to have a sniff around.

[paddy no 11]

What's the general verdict on healy on commentary?

Personally I like him, he calls it as he sees it and is generally accurate in his assessment?

[Mikey Brown]

Generally he’s great when he’s not trying to be funny, but some days it’s all he seems to be interested in.

[Oakboy]

Exeter's tight five are vulnerable - penalty count etc. And, they badly need a SH.

[FKAS]

Exeter's tight five are vulnerable - penalty count etc. And, they badly need a SH.

Sio is definitely struggling at scrum time. Heyes seems to have his number.

[paddy no 11]

That yellow is a good call

[loudnconfident]

That yellow is a good call

It was a ridiculous penalty to give away. Exeter were on a roll and it stymied that instantly.

[fivepointer]

Generally he’s great when he’s not trying to be funny, but some days it’s all he seems to be interested in.

This. He can be an astute observer but i groan when he tries the funnies - he just isnt a funny bloke - and when he says something derogatory about forwards.

Thought Tigers were overall the better side. Exeter had their moments but how Townsend stayed on for 75 minutes is a complete mystery. Fisilau good again.

[Oakboy]

That yellow is a good call

Probably right but I have some sympathy because he played the ball.

[Oakboy]

Generally he’s great when he’s not trying to be funny, but some days it’s all he seems to be interested in.

This. He can be an astute observer but i groan when he tries the funnies - he just isnt a funny bloke - and when he says something derogatory about forwards.

Thought Tigers were overall the better side. Exeter had their moments but how Townsend stayed on for 75 minutes is a complete mystery. Fisilau good again.

Agreed. I thought the commentator was amusing with his comment that he did not mention Wimbush till the 41st minute. I think it was the 49th for Kelly. Several games have involved wingers with ball in hand more than centres. Is the dummy runner bit being overdone?