Leicester v Saracens: Teams
Leicester Tigers coach Richard Cockerill insists he will be taking nothing for granted when Saracens head to Welford Road.
Last Updated: 08/05/10 10:26am
Leicester Tigers coach Richard Cockerill insists he will be taking nothing for granted when Saracens head to Welford Road.
Saracens have enjoyed an impressive run of form as the season heads towards the forthcoming play-offs.
Saturday's clash could even be a warm-up for the Premiership final if both sides come through their semi-finals.
And Cockerill knows a win is vital for his side's own hopes of finishing the season as champions.
Cockerill said: "Saracens are a good team, they're well coached and they've had some good results, especially in the win at Northampton. They could still finish second and take a home semi-final too.
"But we have everything to play for as well because we want to go into the semi-finals on a good run and with a bit of confidence, and that comes from winning games and performing at your best."
Cockerill welcomes Alesana Tuilagi, Jeremy Staunton, George Chuter and Martin Castrogiovanni back to the starting XV for the clash.
Jordan Crane and Sam Vesty are both names on the bench after returning from injury.
Test
Having already secured their semi-final clash against Northampton, Saracens go to Leicester knowing that a win could see them secure home advantage.
Director of rugby Brendan Venter said: "We're in a good position of going to Leicester knowing that we have already secured a place in the semi-finals.
"We know we are playing Northampton Saints - it's just a case of where. We will go to Welford Road looking to win the game and then we will see what happens.
"We have said all season that Leicester are a side that sets the trend and the game will be a good test for us to see how far we have come."
Chris Wyles and Richard Haughton return to the backline for the clash, although Alex Goode is ruled out with a broken thumb. Moses Rauluni is set to make his 100th appearance for the club if he comes off the bench.
Leicester: 15 Geordan Murphy (c), 14 Scott Hamilton, 13 Matt Smith, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Jeremy Staunton, 9 Ben Youngs, 1 Marcos Ayerza, 2 George Chuter, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 4 Geoff Parling, 5 Ben Kay, 6 Tom Croft, 7 Lewis Moody, 8 Craig Newby.
Replacements: 16 Joe Duffey, 17 Dan Cole, 18 Boris Stankovich, 19 Jordan Crane, 20 Ben Woods, 21 James Grindal, 22 Sam Vesty, 23 Johne Murphy
Saracens: 15 Chris Wyles, 14 Richard Haughton, 13 Adam Powell, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Michael Tagicakibau, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Neil de Kock, 1 Matias Aguero, 2 Schalk Brits, 3 Petrus du Plessis, 4 Hugh Vyvyan, 5 Mouritz Botha, 6 Jacques Burger, 7 Andy Saull, 8 Ernst Joubert.
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Rhys Gill, 18 Richard Skuse, 19 Tom Ryder, 20 Justin Melck, 21 Moses Rauluni, 22 Derick Hougaard, 23 Kameli Ratuvou