George Martin set for seasonal bow after making Tigers bench for landmark game

England lock George Martin is set to make his first appearance of the season after being named on the Leicester bench for the visit of Newcastle Red Bulls on Saturday.

Martin, who will move to Saracens at the end of the 2025/26 campaign, hasn’t played for over a year due to a shoulder injury that ultimately needed surgery.

Still only 24, Martin’s last game for Leicester was against Toulouse away, on January 17, 2025, meaning he has yet to play under current head coach Geoff Parling.

“It’s great to welcome George back into the squad. He has worked diligently to get himself to this point and has been brilliant in training,” said Parling.

Martin could be reunited in the Tigers’ engine room with captain Ollie Chessum, who makes his 50th PREM start and 80th appearance for Tigers.

Tigers’ starting line-up for their 5,000th match as a club includes two players who left Newcastle for Welford Road in hooker Jamie Blamire and wing Adam Radwan.

Blamire is accompanied in the front row by props, Nicky Smith and Joe Heyes, while Chessum starts with the fit-again Cameron Henderson as his partner in the second row.

Hamish Watson starts his third consecutive league game for the club in a back-row featuring Hanro Liebenberg and No.8 Joaquin Moro.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

5

Draws

0

Wins

0

Average Points scored

38

13

First try wins

100%

Home team wins

40%

Billy Searle returns to partner Jack van Poortvliet in the half-backs, while Orlando Bailey and PREM Player of the Month for March, Will Wand, combine in midfield.

Gabriel Hamer-Webb will look to continue his try-scoring run of three in three games on the other wing to Radwan, and full-back Freddie Steward rounds out the back three.

“We’re excited to be back in front of our fans at Mattioli Woods Welford Road and to have the chance to show and improve our game,” said Parling.

“Newcastle have been moving the ball more under Stephen Jones and we know that the breakdown will be highly contested.”

Leicester Tigers (appearances):

15. Freddie Steward (126)
14. Adam Radwan (26)
13. Will Wand (33)
12. Orlando Bailey (21)
11. Gabriel Hamer-Webb (12)
10. Billy Searle (21)
9. Jack van Poortvliet (107)
1. Nicky Smith (39)
2. Jamie Blamire (19)
3. Joe Heyes (176)
4. Cameron Henderson (79)
5. Ollie Chessum © (79)
6. Hanro Liebenberg (146)
7. Hamish Watson (2)
8. Joaquin Moro (23)

Replacements

16. Charlie Clare (142)
17. Tarek Haffar (18)
18. Will Hurd (72)
19. George Martin (73)
20. Olly Cracknell (80)
21. Tom Whiteley (61)
22. Izaia Perese (26)
23. Ollie Hassell-Collins (69)