16 September 2005
Issued on behalf of Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers second row Louis Deacon will make his first start in the 2005/06 Guinness Premiership, having been named in the No.4 shirt, alongside England and Lions star Ben Kay, for Saturday's clash with Bath at Welford Road (kick-off 3pm).
Churchill Cup star Deacon replaces Irish international Leo Cullen in the second row, in one of five changes - one of which is positional - to the side that played to a 29-29 draw with London Wasps last Saturday; also setting up a mouth-watering second row battle between Deacon and Kay and Bath's England duo of Danny Grewcock and Steve Borthwick.
"As you can see the second rowers have been rotated again," said Tigers head coach Pat Howard to www.leicestertigers.com. "Under my first understanding Louis wasn't able to start the first game of the season and then that changed, so we had to adjust. He came on and made a real difference in the Wasps game and we also have Jim Hamilton back in the squad after his performance against Northampton.
"We're lucky, and very happy, to have four quality second rows at the moment, so we're making sure that we're keeping them all playing. Leo will play for our development team on Monday night and I'm sure you'll see a few more established names playing on a Monday evening in a couple of weeks' time."
And on the challenge facing Deacon and Kay, in the shape of Grewcock and Borthwick, Howard added: "Both Ben and Steve Borthwick own their own line-outs and they take personal pride in it. It's a showpiece for the second rowers, yes, but I'm sure Andy Robinson won't take this game in isolation either."
Further changes up front see Alex Moreno move from tighthead to loosehead prop, with Michael Holford dropping out of the starting XV and England and Lions star Julian White taking over the No.3 shirt. White has appeared as a replacement on two occasions, against Northampton and Wasps, so far this season. In the final change up front, Will Johnson takes over from Brett Deacon at blindside flank.
"It's been a gradual build-up for Julian and all part of integrating him in; he played 20 minutes, then 40 minutes and now a full game," said Pat. "We've tried to look after him and we'll probably give him a bit of a rest in a couple of weeks' time as Graham Rowntree should be back for the Leeds game. So, it's a little of rotation, it's a bit of integrating these guys back in, Julian's in good nick and I think he's looking forward to the game."
Tigers' backline, which was originally meant to include injury victims Dan Hipkiss and Sam Vesty last week, shows just one change from the side that eventually started against Wasps; with utility back Austin Healey replacing Samoan star Alesana Tuilagi on the wing. Healey will wear his favoured No.11 shirt, with youngster Tom Varndell, the current joint top try-scorer in the Guinness Premiership, wearing the No.14 shirt.
"At some stage we need to give Alex Tuilagi a proper rest, but this is purely rotational at the moment, which enables to us to use all the talent we have available and to see how they operate in different combinations," explained Howard. "Austin's made a real difference when he's come on in recent weeks and I'm giving him a shot. Alex has, however, played really well so far and he'll be back in next week, it's just a matter of giving these guys the right carrot and for them to say, 'I'm good enough to play and I want to be considered'."
Tigers and Bath played to draws in both of their league matches last season, 16-16 at Welford Road in October 2004 and 6-6 at The Rec in February 2005 and looking ahead to this Saturday, Howard added: "They could've already had a very different season; their goal-kicking, at the moment, must be a concern for them ... if that wasn't an issue they could've won their matches against Bristol and Northampton.
"I think they're going to be very hard, they're obviously going to be smarting after two losses; we've got a big game on our hands and we're looking forward to it. They've got a strong pack and we're expecting a physical game up front, they've got good kickers and reasonable runners too, but I think the set-piece battle, especially, will be very interesting."
Leicester Tigers team to face Bath on Saturday (kick-off 3pm):
15 Geordan Murphy
14 Tom Varndell
13 Leon Lloyd
12 Daryl Gibson (captain)
11 Austin Healey
10 Andy Goode
9 Harry Ellis
1 Alex Moreno
2 George Chuter
3 Julian White
4 Louis Deacon
5 Ben Kay
6 Will Johnson
7 Shane Jennings
8 Martin Corry (captain)
Replacements (from):
Ephraim Taukafa
Michael Holford
James Hamilton
Brett Deacon
Will Skinner
Ross Broadfoot
Matt Cornwell
Dan Hipkiss
Ollie Smith
Alesana Tuilagi
Issued on behalf of Bath Rugby
David Bory will make his Bath Rugby debut tomorrow when the west country side travel to Welford Road to take on a Leicester Tigers side that are currently flying high in the GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP (3pm).
The France international winger, who signed for Bath Rugby from Castres Olympique over the summer, has not played a competitive first team match since the end of the French domestic season. However, he says that he is fully fit and is looking forward to the challenge of making his debut at Welford Road.
"I am really looking forward to playing tomorrow," said the Frenchman. "It has been five months since I last played so I am very hungry to get out there again. I have never played at Welford Road, so that is something that I am also looking forward to. It is a big game and we need a win and I am hoping that I can make a positive contribution to that cause."
Bory's inclusion is one of five changes to the team that was defeated 17-9 by Northampton Saints last weekend. Andy Dunne comes in at fly half for his first start in Bath Rugby colours as Chris Malone has tweaked a muscle, whilst Gareth Delve and Matt Stevens also start. James Hudson comes in for Rob Fidler on the bench.
Bory's return could be just the spark that Bath Rugby need to ignite a Guinness Premiership campaign that has yet to take off. Two defeats have left John Connolly's side in eleventh place in the table, but the Australian head coach says that
"The worst thing that you can do is let a couple of defeats get you down," said Connolly. "If you do that you will lose confidence. This side has a lot of confidence in its own ability and the boys are looking forward to taking on the Tigers tomorrow."
Bath Rugby have the best record of all Guinness Premiership sides at Welford Road in recent seasons, having played out a thrilling 16-16 draw last season and winning 13-12 the year before. However, Connolly insists that history will count for nothing when the two sides clash tomorrow.
"We have enjoyed a good record against Leicester in recent seasons, but that counts for nothing. Tomorrow's game will be a tough one as Leicester are incredibly difficult to beat at home. They are a very physical side and have a strong set piece, which will only be strengthened by the return of Julian White. They also have some very good backs and Andy Goode sets up excellent field position for them, whilst Ollie Smith and Daryl Gibson are both very good players."
Bath Rugby team versus Leicester Tigers
GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP
Saturday 17th September
3pm
15 Matt Perry
14 David Bory
13 Andy Higgins
12 Olly Barkley
11 Frikkie Welsh
10 Andy Dunne
9 Martyn Wood
1 David Barnes
2 Lee Mears
3 Matt Stevens
4 Steve Borthwick (capt)
5 Danny Grewcock
6 Andy Beattie
7 Gareth Delve
8 Zak Feaunati
16 Pieter Dixon
17 Duncan Bell
18 James Scaysbrook
19 James Hudson
20 Nick Walshe
21 Salesi Finau
22 Ryan Davis |
