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Tigers turn to James O'Connor to derail champions Bath
By Neil Fissler
Veteran Wallaby fly-half James O’Connor will make his first Gallagher PREM start for Leicester Tigers for the visit to Welford Road by Bath in a repeat of last season’s Premiership final tomorrow.
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Tigers boss Geoff Parling has named 12 members of the side that were defeated 23-21 by Bath in the 212th meeting of one of the greatest rivalries in club rugby.
O’Connor came off the bench for the final 17 minutes of the Tigers’ East Midlands derby defeat at Northampton Saints last weekend and will pair up with scrum-half Tom Whiteley as his side looks for a 122nd win in the fixture.
His last start in PREM Rugby was for Sale Sharks when they defeated Gloucester 46-41 in May 2019, and his last start at fly-half came against the Saints in an 18-15 win at the AJ Bell Stadium in November 2017.
It will be only the fifth game he has started this year, once for the Crusaders against Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby, three times for Australia in the Rugby Championship, twice against the Springboks and once against the All Blacks.
Parling has named Joe Heyes, Cam Henderson, and Olly Cracknell to start in the pack, with centre Joseph Woodward back in midfield, and Solomone Kata wearing No.13.
“We’re looking forward to being back at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, and while Bath are obviously playing well, we’ll look to focus on what we can do and how we can keep improving our game.
“Tom and James bring great experience at nine and 10, and it’s great to welcome Joe, Crackers and Woody back in the starting line-up,” said Parling.
Leicester Tigers XV: Freddie Steward, Adam Radwan, Sol Kata, Joseph Woodward, Ollie Hassell Collins, James O’Connor, Tom Whiteley, Nicky Smith, Jamie Blamire, Joe Heyes, Cameron Henderson, Ollie Chessum (C), Hanro Liebenberg, Tommy Reffell, Olly Cracknell.
Replacements: Charlie Clare, Ale Loman, Will Hurd, Harry Wells, Emeka Ilione, Ollie Allan, Billy Searle, Will Wand
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