Leicester Tigers team news
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Leicester Tigers have named their team for Friday night’s Gallagher Premiership round 14 fixture against Newcastle Falcons at 7:45pm at Kingston Park in Newcastle.
Jack van Poortvliet will partner Handré Pollard in the halves for the first time this season, with Will Hurd coming into the starting front row in-place of the injured Joe Heyes.
England international locks Ollie Chessum and George Martin also miss out through injury while veteran prop Dan Cole is on mandatory leave after his extensive Guinness Six Nations campaign.
Tigers are also without Welsh international backrow Tommy Reffell.
Elsewhere Leicester academy graduate James Whitcombe will make his 50th appearance for the club if required off the bench.
There’s also a place for England U20 captain Finn Carnduff in the finishers.
Leicester Tigers head coach, Dan McKellar said: “Off the back of any disappointing loss the only option you have is to fly into the next challenge with energy and enthusiasm and the boys have done that. “
“While it’s disappointing to lose Heyesy to injury, it’s great to see Will Hurd back in the side and Jack (van Poortvliet) starting.
“We’ve trained really well with the right intent and we’re going up to Newcastle to put in a performance that the group and our supporters can be proud of.”
STARTING XV
15 Freddie Steward [82]
14 Josh Bassett [14]
13 Matt Scott [76]
12 Solomone Kata [14]
11 Ollie Hassell-Collins [16]
10 Handré Pollard [28]
9 Jack van Poortvliet [67]
1 James Cronin [29]
2 Julián Montoya [54]
3 Will Hurd [37]
4 Harry Wells [193]
5 Kyle Hatherell [17]
6 Hanro Liebenberg [102]
7 Olly Cracknell [110]
8 Jasper Wiese [73]
REPLACEMENTS
16 Charlie Clare [89]
17 James Whitcombe [49]
18 Dan Richardson [17]
19 Finn Carnduff [9]
20 Emeka Ilione [20]
21 Tom Whiteley [25]
22 Jamie Shillcock [22]
23 Phil Cokanasiga [14]
