Club captain Ollie Chessum returns to lead Leicester Tigers today against Bristol Bears as one of seven changes to the starting lineup that defeated Exeter Chiefs in the Prem Cup final last Sunday.
Freddie Steward, Nicky Smith, Jamie Blamire, Joe Heyes and Olly Cracknell also return, while there is a senior debut for Scotland flanker Hamish Watson, below, who recently joined on loan from Edinburgh.
Tigers head coach Geoff Parling said: “We’re excited to welcome our internationals back into our group this week and to also be back in the Prem.
“Bristol are a quality side and have had three weeks to prepare for this game, so we know we are going to have to show the best of ourselves.”
Gutted
On the absence of Prem Cup winning-captain Tommy Reffell, Parling added: “We’re gutted to lose Tommy to a very unfortunate injury where a stray boot has hit his throat, meaning that he will be out for around eight weeks.
“He has been a real pest to the opposition, and we’ll use this time to firstly get him fit and healthy and secondly get him ready and firing for the end of the season.
“This also presents an opportunity for Hamish to start and show his quality in a Tigers shirt in a full circle moment after leaving our academy 16 years ago.”
PICTURES: Getty Images
Return: Steven Luatua
Returns
Steven Luatua returns to the Bristol back row while Jake Woolmore starts in the front row after recovering from the fractured jaw he sustained against Harlequins in December.
Centurion Harry Randall is named at scrum half, linking up with academy fly-half Sam Worsley.
Gabriel Ibitoye makes his first Prem start since the opening round meeting with Leicester.
READ MORE: Leicester Tigers vs Bristol Bears: We’re out to prove ourselves – Fitz Harding
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