Leicester v Bristol: Teams
Geordan Murphy returns to Leicester's starting XV for their must-win Premiership clash with Bristol at Welford Road.
Last Updated: 19/04/08 5:29pm
Geordan Murphy returns to Leicester's starting XV for their must-win Guinness Premiership clash with Bristol at Welford Road.
The Ireland full-back has been absent for the past six weeks since picking up an injury on Six Nations duty and has missed a decline in the Tigers' fortunes.
Leicester have slipped to sixth in the Premiership table and are in danger of missing out on a top-four finish.
Club captain Martin Corry comes into the second row, with Jordan Crane and Tom Croft starting at No.8 and blindside respectively.
"Saturday's game is obviously very important for us," said head coach Marcelo Loffreda. "We know we need to win if we want to have an opportunity of competing for a play-off place.
Massive games
"Everyone is keen to put in a good performance and to get the points we need. Each of our remaining games is massive for us and we know what has to be done."
Bristol have made several changes to their team, with Matt Salter, Tom Arscott and Joe El Abd among their absentees.
Lee Robinson replaces Arscott on the wing while young centre Luke Evans comes in for his first Premiership start.
In the pack Peter Bracken also makes his first start in the competition and there are recalls for Mariano Sambucetti, Iain Grieve and Andrew Blowers.
Academy hooker Ryan Prosser is among the replacements alongside Alfie To'oala, who returns after injury.
"Welford Road has always been a difficult place to play but, as players and coaches, you look forward to these types of challenge," said assistant coach Paul Hull.
"Leicester will no doubt name a strong side and be looking for the points as they need a win to stay in play-off contention. They've had to rotate their side in the past week or so as they've had a tough fixture schedule.
"We've got some young players in the squad and they're there on merit. These players have been playing outstandingly well for the United, have been knocking on the door and have earned their places. They deserve their opportunity."
Leicester: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Tom Varndell, 13 Dan Hipkiss, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Harry Ellis, 1 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Mefin Davies, 3 Julian White, 4 Martin Corry (capt), 5 Ben Kay, 6 Tom Croft, 7 Ben Herring, 8 Jordan Crane
Replacements: 16 Benjamin Kayser, 17 Marcos Ayerza, 18 Richard Blaze, 19 Brett Deacon, 20 Frank Murphy, 21 Ian Humphreys, 22 Ayoola Erinle
Bristol: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Lee Robinson, 13 Neil Brew, 12 Luke Eves, 11 David Lemi, 10 Ed Barnes, 9 Shaun Perry (capt), 1 Darren Crompton, 2 Scott Linklater, 3 Peter Bracken, 4 Mariano Sambucetti, 5 Sean Hohneck, 6 Iain Grieve, 7 Andrew Blowers, 8 Dan Ward-Smith
Replacements: 16 Ryan Prosser, 17 Alex Clarke, 18 Nathan Budgett, 19 Alfie To'oala, 20 Graeme Beveridge, 21 Jason Strange, 22 Rob Higgitt