Milestone man Joe Heyes to join select group vs Sale this Sunday

Joe Heyes will make his 100th first team start for Leicester against Sale Sharks in Salford this Sunday, to become the first prop to reach the milestone for the club since Marcos Ayerza in 2011. It will see the England tight-head earn his club cap, the 223 player to do so in the 146-year history of the Tigers.

The Tigers starting line-up remains unchanged from the team that secured a 41-17 derby day victory against Northampton Saints last weekend at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, with Heyes joined in the front row by loose-head Nicky Smith and Jamie Blamire.

George Martin and captain Olly Cracknell form a powerhouse second-row, possibly the best combination in the league, while Hanro Liebenberg, Tommy Reffell and Joaquin Moro complete the pack.

Jack van Poortvliet and James O’Connor continue their half-back partnership, while Orlando Bailey – one of the signings of the season – and Will Wand again get the nod at centre. Ollie Hassell-Collins and Adam Radwan provide the threat on the wings, while full-back Freddie Steward continues to patrol the backfield.

Olly Cracknell and Hamish Watson both return to the bench after injury, with Geoff Parling using the place vacated by the suspended Izaia Perese to field an additional forward in a 6-2 split.

Back-rower Emeka Ilione returned to training this week but Sunday’s match has come too soon for him, with Parling saying he has still has a few things he still needs to tick off before being available for selection.

Looking ahead to the clash at the Salford Community Stadium, where Leicester haven’t won in the league since May 2018, Parling said: “Sale are a physical team with threats around the park and we are very clear that we will have to be at our best on Sunday.”

“We welcome Crackers and Hamish back into the squad and look forward to the impact they will have off the bench.”

Leicester Tigers (appearances):

15. Freddie Steward (129)
14. Adam Radwan (29)
13. Will Wand (36)
12. Orlando Bailey (24)
11. Ollie Hassell-Collins (72)
10. James O’Connor (11)
9. Jack van Poortvliet (110)
1. Nicky Smith (42)
2. Jamie Blamire (22)
3. Joe Heyes (179)
4. George Martin (76)
5. Ollie Chessum © (82)
6. Hanro Liebenberg (148)
7. Tommy Reffell (153)
8. Joaquin Moro (26)

Replacements:

16. Charlie Clare (145)
17. Archie van der Flier (22)
18. Will Hurd (75)
19. Cameron Henderson (82)
20. Olly Cracknell (82)
21. Hamish Watson (3)
22. Tom Whiteley (64)
23. Solomone Kata (54)