Recalled loan player goes straight into Leicester's matchday 23

With Finn Carnduff picking up an injury in last weekend’s home defeat to Saracens, Leicester head coach Geoff Parling has recalled giant lock Tom Manz from his season-long loan at Cardiff.

A lifelong Leicester fan, Manz, who stands 6’8 tall, is now set to make his 25th appearance for the Tigers after being named on the bench for Saturday’s trip to Parling’s former club Newcastle.

Leicester head north with a starting XV showing four changes to round one.

James Thompson and Orlando Bailey come into the side having been replacements against Saracens last-time out.

Bailey comes into the side at inside centre to replace Joseph Woodward, with last season’s double PREM Player of the Month winner Will Wand having to settle for the 22 shirt, as Solomone Kata remains at 13.

Gabriel Hamer-Webb starts on the wing after scoring a hat-trick of tries against Saracens, while Adam Radwan faces his former club in the 14 shirt. Freddie Steward is the starting fullback again.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

0

Draws

0

Wins

5

Average Points scored

14

42

First try wins

80%

Home team wins

40%

The half-backs remain unchanged from Round 1, with Billy Searle partnering Jack Van Poortvliet, who captains the side once again.

Mako Vunipola, Samiuela Moli and Joe Heyes make for a settled front row, with the aforementioned Thompson and Cameron Henderson as the locks.

The all-Welsh back-row of Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell and Olly Cracknell remains intact for a second week.

Leicester Tigers have lost their last six fixtures in all competitions since they defeated Sale 47-33 at the CorpAcq Stadium in Round 16 last season. But Parling says they will have their work cut out to end that run.

“Newcastle have spoken openly about how they want to play, and you can see the attacking threats that they pose, so this is a great test for our work-rate and defensive resolve.

“We head up to Kingston Park knowing that this is another opportunity to show how much we care for the bloke next to us,” said Parling.

Leicester Tigers team vs Newcastle Red Bulls, Kingston Park, kick-off 7.45pm, Saturday, 3 October (club apps):

15. Freddie Steward (132)
14. Adam Radwan (35)
13. Solomone Kata (59)
12. Orlando Bailey (30)
11. Gabriel Hamer-Webb (17)
10. Billy Searle (26)
9. Jack van Poortvliet © (115)
1. Mako Vunipola (2)
2. Samiuela Moli (3)
3. Joe Heyes (184)
4. James Thompson (16)
5. Cameron Henderson (89)
6. Aaron Wainwright (1)
7. Tommy Reffell (158)
8. Olly Cracknell (88)

Replacements

16. Corbin Thunder (0)
17. Tarek Haffar (22)
18. Will Hurd (80)
19. Tom Manz (24)
20. Joaquin Moro (30)
21. Tom Whiteley (69)
22. Will Wand (42)
23. Ollie Hassell-Collins (76)