Tigers director of rugby Dean Richards has named his side for Sunday’s televised Heineken Cup clash against Ulster at Ravenhill (kick-off 1pm).
There are four changes to the team which lost to Gloucester in the Zurich Premiership last Saturday, with England hooker Dorian West and former All Black centre Daryl Gibson both returning from injury.
West comes in for Jim Richards, while Gibson’s return to inside centre sees Ollie Smith move out to outside centre - Leon Lloyd switching to the left wing.
Ramiro Pez comes in for Andy Goode at fly half, in a side which is once again captained by openside flanker Neil Back.
Tigers have a 50/50 record of won four and lost four against Irish opposition in the Heineken Cup, and director of rugby Richards is not underestimating the challenge of an Ulster side who have won 19 of their last 20 competitive matches at Ravenhill.
“English teams have not done well there in the past five or six years, but we’re looking to progress,” he said.
“Ulster are a quality side. They have some very experienced pros such as Robbie Kempson, Andy Ward, Gary Longwell and the like. They have key guys in key areas, like Bryn Cunningham, Paul Steinmetz, David Humphreys and Neil Doak. Whatever side they put out they will compete very well.
“They are very competent and play with a lot of passion and flair. In David Humphreys they have one of the form fly halves in world rugby, and that merits respect.”
Tigers currently top the pool standings having beaten Gwent Dragons with a bonus point in the last round, but in a tight pool Richards believes it could well go down to the wire.
“It’s a close group, and it might come down to bonus points in the end,” he said.
“Stade Francais have not started too well but they are packed with stars, a bit like us, and Ulster away will be very difficult. Everyone has lost one game in this pool, so nothing is certain, and a defeat on Sunday, while making it difficult, wouldn’t categorically rule us out of going on to the next round.”
Despite Tigers finding themselves in the bottom half of the Zurich Premiership table, Richards has said of their current predicament: “I don’t doubt what we have here. For one reason or another things have not quite happened, but I’m confident it will sort itself out.
“Injuries have had an impact on us, but it’s no excuse, and we’re now starting to get some of the guys back.
“Sunday is a very important game, and everyone is aware of that. It’s not irreversible, and you don’t become a bad side overnight.
“I always put myself under pressure. I like to win, and because we haven’t been winning, it has created more pressure. It’s frustrating when we don’t win, but I’m not letting it affect my outlook.
Tigers team to face Ulster:
15 Jaco van der Westhuyzen
14 Neil Baxter
13 Ollie Smith
12 Daryl Gibson
11 Leon Lloyd
10 Ramiro Pez
9 Austin Healey
1. Graham Rowntree
2 Dorian West
3 Darren Morris
4 Martin Johnson
5 Ben Kay
6 Will Johnson
7 Neil Back (Captain)
8 Henry Tuilagi
