'Full circle moment' for Tigers debutant Hamish Watson after Tommy Reffell blow

Hamish Watson will make his Leicester Tigers debut against Bristol at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Sunday after coming straight into the side at openside in place of Tommy Reffell.

Wales international Reffell, who led the Tigers to PREM Cup glory last week, will be out for eight weeks with a throat injury after being struck by a stray boot.

Watson has only just arrived at the play-off contenders, on a two-month deal, and starts in a side littered with internationals.

Ollie Chessum returns and will return to lead the team from lock, with former Tigers skipper, Hanro Liebenberg, alongside him in the second row.

In the front row, Tigers have named Wales’ Nicky Smith and England’s Joe Heyes at prop and Jamie Blamire at hooker.

Pumas international Joaquin Moro and No.8 Olly Cracknell, fresh from his involvement in the Six Nations with Wales, join Watson in the back row.

Tom Whiteley and Billy Searle get to continue their burgeoning half-back partnership, which means James O’Connor has to be content with a place on the bench again.

Orlando Bailey and Will Wand form the midfield, while Wales winger Gabriel Hamer-Webb and England discard Ollie Hassell-Collins line up on the wings and Freddie Steward rounds off the backline at full-back.

“We’re gutted to lose Tommy to a very unfortunate injury where a stray boot has hit his throat meaning that he will be out for around eight weeks,” head coach Geoff Parling confirmed.

“He has been a real pest to the opposition, and we’ll use this time to firstly get him fit and healthy and secondly get him ready and firing for the end of the season.”

“This also presents an opportunity for Hamish to start and show his quality in a Tigers shirt in a full circle moment after leaving our academy 16 years ago.”

Leicester Tigers team v Bristol Bears (appearances):

15. Freddie Steward (123)
14. Gabriel Hamer-Webb (10)
13. Will Wand (30)
12. Orlando Bailey (19)
11. Ollie Hassell-Collins (66)
10. Billy Searle (18)
9. Tom Whiteley (58)

1. Nicky Smith (37)
2. Jamie Blamire (16)
3. Joe Heyes (174)
4. Hanro Liebenberg (143)
5. Ollie Chessum © (77)
6. Joaquin Moro (20)
7. Hamish Watson (0)
8. Olly Cracknell (77)

16. Finn Theobald-Thomas (31)
17. Archie van der Flier (17)
18. Will Hurd (69)
19. Osian Thomas (4)
20. Harry Palmer (10)
21. Jack van Poortvliet (104)
22. James O’Connor (8)
23. Izaia Perese (24)