Leicester v Newcastle: Teams
Illness and injuries have left Newcastle boss Steve Bates with a selection headache, while Leicester have shuffled their pack.
Last Updated: 19/12/08 2:54pm
World Cup-winner Ben Kay has been handed the Leicester captaincy for the visit of Newcastle Falcons in the Guinness Premiership.
Coach Heyneke Meyer has been forced into a number of changes for the return to league action - with Jordan Crane, Tom Croft and Dan Hipkiss all rested, while Harry Ellis is suspended.
However Boris Stankovich, George Chuter, Marco Wentzel, Craig Newby and Brett Deacon all return.
There are also places on the bench for prop Martin Castrogiovanni, who has been sidelined by injury since last season, and Ben Herring.
"Newcastle have had a few injuries to key players but we know they will lift their game when they come here," said Meyer.
"It is important that we also lift our game after defeat last weekend.
Fresh
"We have a few of the England guys rested this week and it is important that we keep all of the guys fresh because it is a long season.
"But we also have a number of players who have been waiting for a chance and they have stepped up well whenever they have been needed this season."
Illness and injuries have left Newcastle director of rugby Steve Bates with an unwanted selection headache ahead of the trip to Welford Road.
Despite naming his team, Bates will have to reassess his troops ahead of the match to see who is still fit to play.
Rory Clegg and Adam Balding have already been ruled out after going down with a bug, while Danny Williams (shoulder) and Micky Young (back) are both injured.
England centre Jamie Noon is also unavailable for selection because of the elite performance squad requirements.
Leicester Tigers: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Scott Hamilton, 13 Matt Smith, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Johne Murphy, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Julien Dupuy, 1 Boris Stankovich, 2 George Chuter, 3 Julian White, 4 Marco Wentzel, 5 Ben Kay (captain), 6 Craig Newby, 7 Lewis Moody, 8 Brett Deacon.
Replacements: 16 Mefin Davies, 17 Martin Castrogiovanni, 18 Martin Corry, 19 Ben Herring, 20 Ben Youngs, 21 Tom Varndell, 22 Seru Rabeni
Newcastle Falcons: 15 Tom May, 14 Tim Visser, 13 Spencer Davey, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 John Rudd, 10 Rob Miller, 9 Hall Charlton, 8 Phil Dowson (c), 7 Brent Wilson, 6 Ed Williamson, 5 Mark Sorenson, 4 Tim Swinson, 3 David Wilson, 2 Matt Thompson, 1 Jon Golding.
Replacements: 16 Rob Vickers, 17 Micky Ward, 18 Andy Perry, 19 Geoff Parling, 20 James Grindal, 21 Tom Dillon, 22 Steve Jones.
