Tigers have no fear ahead of giant Chiefs challenge
PREVIEW…
Today. Kick-off 3pm, Welford Road
LEICESTER Tigers are poised for their inaugural appearance in the Women's Premiership as they host back-to-back finalists Exeter.
Head coach Vicky Macqueen has selected an exciting lineup featuring eight debutants, injecting fresh vigor into the team who lost 65-7 to the Chiefs in the Allianz Cup.
Scotland second row Eva Donaldson and USA No.8 Tahlia Brody make their debuts after their return from the WXV.
England centre and Team GB co-captain Meg Jones and Scotland wing Francesca McGhie also make their first starts.
Elis Martin, Leah Bartlett, Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele, and Tess Feury could all feature from the bench, and should they A combin be called upon, it would mark the blooding of 21 new players this season for Leicester.
Tigers' coach Tom Holden wants his team to stay true to their identity and improve week on week. He said: “We want to play fairly expansive, we have some serious X-factor players in some key positions who we've got to get the ball to early.
“Every single week we want to make sure we're a better team and aim to be a very dangerous team towards the back end of the season.
“It's a bit of a David versus Goliath and we need every single person there helping these girls out and spreading the message that women's rugby is in Leicester.”
Exeter are bolstered by the return of several internationals. Notable returnees include Australian Lori Cramer at full-back, USA's Gabby Cantorna at inside-centre, and debutant fly-half Canada's Alex Tessier.
Scotland's Demi Swann could make her Chiefs debut from the bench, and Ireland's Clara Nielson and England's Claudia McDonald also start as replacements.
Young players Kate Buchanan and Niamh Orchard have been rewarded for their excellent Alianz Cup form with starts, with Hannah Sams and Sophie Langford on the bench. International stars Maisy Allen, Rachel Johnson, Emily Tuttisoi, and DaLeaka Menin are rested.
Exeter head coach Susie Appleby said: “We have selected a team based on what suits us and what suits the players. We want to get a couple of combinations going and give gametime for our youngsters.
“Sams, for instance, will make her league debut at just 18 years old.
“These 18 and 19-yearold players are the future, and we will continue to layer them in while they play in the college and BUCS leagues too.”
