Leicester v Leeds: Teams
Toby Flood will make his first Guinness Premiership start of the season as Leicester host Leeds on Saturday.
Last Updated: 27/11/09 12:20pm
Toby Flood will make his first Guinness Premiership start of the season as Leicester host Leeds Carnegie at Welford Road on Saturday.
England international fly-half Flood suffered an Achilles injury in the Heineken Cup semi-final against Cardiff Blues in May but he has proved his fitness in two appearances as a replacement in the last fortnight.
Matt Smith comes in on the wing in place of Johne Murphy who is on international duty with Ireland A as the only change to backline following last Friday's game at Gloucester.
England internationals Lewis Moody and Tom Croft return to the Tigers forward pack, and George Chuter starts at hooker.
Alesana Tuilagi is included in the matchday squad for the first time this season after his recovery from a foot injury.
Props Marcos Ayerza and Martin Castrogiovanni do not return from international duty until next weekend, while Tigers are without Lucas Amorosino, Richard Blaze, Louis Deacon, Harry Ellis, Dan Hipkiss, Geordan Murphy, Craig Newby, Billy Twelvetrees, Julian White and Ben Woods due to injury.
Meanwhile, Leeds Carnegie have made just one change to the starting line-up as they prepare to take on Leicester at Welford Road.
Rhys Oakley comes in for Alfie To'oala at number eight while 19-year-old fly-half Joe Ford has been named on the bench and could make his debut.
Leicester: 15 Scott Hamilton,14 Lote Tuqiri, 13 Anthony Allen, 12 Aaron Mauger (capt), 11 Matt Smith, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Jordan Crane, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Tom Croft, 5 Ben Kay, 4 Geoff Parling, 3 Dan Cole, 2 George Chuter, 1 Boris Stankovich.
Replacements: 16 Joe Duffey, 17 Robbie Harris, 18 Jonny Harris, 19 Calum Green, 20 Brett Deacon, 21 James Grindal, 22 Jeremy Staunton, 23 Alesana Tuilagi.
Leeds Carnegie: 15 Leigh Hinton, 14 Richard Welding, 13 Seru Rabeni, 12 Scott Barrow, 11 Lee Blackett, 10 Ceiron Thomas, 9 Andy Gomarsall, 8 Rhys Oakley, 7 Calum Clark, 6 Kearnan Myall, 5 Marco Wentzel (capt), 4 Erik Lund, 3 Pete Bucknall, 2 Vili Ma'asi, 1 Gareth Hardy.
Replacements: 16 Phil Nilsen, 17 Tommy McGee, 18 Phil Swainston, 19 Tom Denton, 20 Jon Pendlebury, 21 Scott Mathie, 22 Joe Ford, 23 Jonny Hepworth.