Play-Off preview: Leicester Tigers v Sale Sharks

Eleven-time Premiership champions Leicester Tigers welcome Play-Off regulars Sale Sharks to Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday with a place at Allianz Stadium at stake.

Tigers secured a home tie by beating Newcastle Falcons in Round 18 to wrap up second spot, with Michael Cheika overseeing a huge improvement in the East Midlands during his sole season in charge.

He is now bidding to end on a high, with Leicester also hoping to send departing stars Ben Youngs, Dan Cole, Mike Brown and Julian Montoya into the sunset with a trophy in their midst.

Sale held firm at Sandy Park last weekend to keep hold of fourth spot and are in The Play-Offs for a third season in a row.

They were beaten finalists two years ago and knocked out by Bath Rugby at this stage last year, with Alex Sanderson's side now looking to learn the lessons from those occasions.

Tigers prevailed 44-34 in a barnstorming Round 16 clash which whet the appetite nicely for this rematch.

Adam Radwan returns to the hosts' starting XV having missed his reunion with Falcons last weekend, while Jack van Poortvliet and Joe Heyes replace Youngs and Cole respectively.

Sharks have made two changes, with England internationals Tom Roebuck and Tom Curry back in the side from the outset.

Referee: Matthew Carley

Assistant Referees: Adam Leal & Craig Maxwell-Keys

TMO: Stuart Teerheege

TEAM NEWS

Leicester Tigers: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Solomone Kata, 12 Joseph Woodward, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Jack van Poortvliet; 1 Nicky Smith, 2 Julián Montoya (c), 3 Joe Heyes, 4 Cameron Henderson, 5 Ollie Chessum, 6 Hanro Liebenberg, 7 Tommy Reffell, 8 Olly Cracknell

Replacements: 16 Charlie Clare, 17 James Cronin, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Matt Rogerson, 20 Emeka Ilione, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Izaia Perese

Sale Sharks: 15. Joe Carpenter, 14.Tom Roebuck, 13. Rob du Preez, 12. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, 11. Arron Reed, 10. George Ford 9. Raffi Quirke, 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. 3. Asher Opoku-Fordjour 4. Ernst van Rhyn, 5. Jonny Hill, 6. Tom Curry, 7. Ben Curry (c), 8. JL du Preez.

Replacements:  16. Tadgh McElroy, 17. Si McIntyre, 18. WillGriff John, 19. Ben Bamber, 20. Dan du Preez, 21. Gus Warr, 22. Luke James, 23. Tom O’Flaherty.