Relief for Leicester Tigers as James O'Connor is declared fit

James O’Connor has recovered from the knock he received in the 47-33 win against Sale Sharks three weeks ago to give Leicester a much-needed boost at fly-half for the visit to Bath this Saturday.

The veteran Wallaby comes into the team as a direct replacement for PREM rookie, Charlie Titcombe, who started at 10 in last week’s first home defeat of the season against Exeter. He is partnered at half-back by Jack van Poortvliet.

Tigers boss Geoff Parling suggested in midweek that O’Connor’s return wasn’t a formality but the fact that the charismatic playmaker has been passed fit will come as much relief to the Leicester faithful, who feared that Titcombe would be thrown into the deep end again, or Orlando Bailey would be forced to switch from inside centre, where he has been so successful.

With Billy Searle all but ruled out for the season, the experience that O’Connor has gained from 70 caps in gold and green, as well as playing around the world professionally, will be invaluable to the Tigers’ bid to win the PREM title in Parling’s first season in charge.

O’Connor’s selection is one of two changes to the backline, with former Bath man Gabriel Hamer-Webb taking the place of Ollie Hassell-Collins on the left wing.

Bailey – another Bath old boy – and the PREM’s Player of the Month for May, Will Wand, are asked to go again in midfield, while Adam Radwan and George Pearson make up the back three.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

3

Draws

0

Wins

2

Average Points scored

26

22

First try wins

40%

Home team wins

80%

An unchanged front row sees Nicky Smith, Jamie Blamire and Joe Heyes pack down again, while Cam Henderson joins Ollie Chessum in the second at the expense of George Martin.

Olly Cracknell is the only change to the back row, the Welshman coming in at No.8 for Joaquin Moro, while Hanro Liebenberg and Tommy Reffell continue at flanker.

There’s a chance for 20-year-old scrum-half Charlie Bemand to make his Gallagher PREM debut as he features on the bench, with Izaia Perese also making the squad after being handed a two game ban for a red card against Northampton Saints.

“I’m expecting us to turn up with a great attitude and be clear in what we’re going to try and achieve,” said Parling, ahead of the battle for second place and a home fixture in the play-offs.

“We know what’s on the line, and we have spoken about that because that’s just being real, but our main focus is what we are going to do to perform against Bath to get a result.”

Leicester Tigers (appearances):
15. George Pearson (13)
14. Adam Radwan (31)
13. Will Wand (38)
12. Orlando Bailey (26)
11. Gabriel Hamer-Webb (14)
10. James O’Connor (12)
9. Jack van Poortvliet (112)
1. Nicky Smith (44)
2. Jamie Blamire (24)
3. Joe Heyes (181)
4. Cameron Henderson (84)
5. Ollie Chessum © (84)
6. Hanro Liebenberg (150)
7. Tommy Reffell (155)
8. Olly Cracknell (84)

Replacements
16. Charlie Clare (147)
17. Archie van der Flier (24)
18. Will Hurd (77)
19. George Martin (78)
20. Hamish Watson (5)
21. Charlie Bemand (8)
22. Solomone Kata (56)
23. Izaia Perese (29)