Leicester v Bristol: Teams
League leaders Leicester host National League-bound Bristol at Walkers Stadium.
Last Updated: 24/04/09 4:49pm
League leaders Leicester will host National League-bound Bristol on Saturday in their Guinness Premiership match-up at Walkers Stadium.
Lewis Moody, Toby Flood and Matt Smith all return from injury and take their places in the starting XV as head coach Richard Cockerill rings the changes.
Aaron Mauger is ruled out by injury, which allows Sam Vesty to move across to inside centre with Flood slotting in at fly-half.
There has been a complete change to the front row as Boris Stankovich, Benjamin Kayser and Julian White replace Marcos Ayerza, George Chuter and Martin Castrogiovanni.
"We have put ourselves into the position to finish top of the Guinness Premiership and we want to take that," Cockerill said.
"But there is still a game to play on Saturday and we will stay focused on that..
Farewell
Leicester's only defeat in their last nine games came at Newcastle at the end of March and the club has already secured a home tie at Walkers Stadium in the Premiership semi-finals.
The Tigers have also won six of their last seven encounters with Bristol, so the clash looks a daunting prospect for the ailing visitors.
Bristol, already relegated and preparing for next season in National League One, will be bidding farewell to a number of players on Saturday.
David Lemi, Shaun Perry and Dan Ward-Smith are set to pull on their Bristol shirts for the last time after they were all named in the starting line-up.
Mark Regan will also make his last appearance from the bench before the former England and Lions hooker retires while young back row prospect James Phillips has been selected to start.
Speaking on Bristol Rugby's website, coach Paul Hull said: "Leading up to the game this week, it's just about mentally preparing for playing Leicester.
"Leicester are at the top of the league and are guaranteed a home slot but I'm sure they'll want to stay top.
"We're now relegated so we're motivated for different reasons, for example, it will be the last game in a Bristol shirt for a few players.
"I'm not very sentimental, but I'm pleased Mark Regan and Matt Salter have been given the opportunity to come into the 22.
"We always expect a physical game against Leicester, so we've reflected that in our split on the bench.
"I'm actually looking forward to the game so we can draw a line under the season and officially prepare for next year."
Leicester Tigers: 15 Geordan Murphy (c), 14 Matt Smith, 13 Dan Hipkiss, 12 Sam Vesty, 11 Johne Murphy, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Julien Dupuy, 8 Jordan Crane, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Craig Newby, 5 Ben Kay, 4 Tom Croft, 3 Julian White, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 1 Boris Stankovich
Replacements: 16 George Chuter, 17 Martin Castrogiovanni, 18 Marco Wentzel, 19 Ben Woods, 20 Harry Ellis, 21 Ayoola Erinle, 22 Tom Varndell
Bristol: Luke Arscott; Lee Robinson, Luke Eves, Junior Fatialofa, David Lemi, Ed Barnes, Shaun Perry; Mark Irish, Scott Linklater, Darren Crompton, Mariano Sambucetti, Robert Sidoli, James Phillips, Redford Pennycook, Dan Ward-Smith.
Replacements: Mark Regan, Wayne Thompson, Roy Winters, Chevvy Pennycook, Matt Salter, Haydn Thomas, Greg Barden.