News

Preview: Leicester v Perpignan

Friday 05th December 2008

Perpignan's injury crisis in the backs continues to bite, with first-choice fly-halves Nicolas Laharrague and Steven Meyer and centres Jean-Philippe Grandclaude and David Marty all out of action. How they could have done with Dan Carter!

There are returnees though, with David Mele continuing to play pivot, and there's no lack of talent outside with youngsters Adrien Plante and Maxime Mermoz both very able, and Philip Burger a nuisance at full-back.

Up front, Perpignan are not shy of confrontation, with Nathan Hines, Ovidiu Tonita and Nicolas Mas all set to provide an uncompromising challenge.

Whether that confrontation will compromise discipline at the breakdown or not is another matter, as Perpignan were frustratingly negative last time out.

England half-backs Harry Ellis and Toby Flood return to domestic action for the Tigers, and they are joined behind the scrum by four more internationals.

Ireland cap Geordan Murphy starts at full-back, whilst the centre pairing sees England's Dan Hipkiss combine with former All Black Aaron Mauger. The final full cap is Scott Hamilton on the right wing.

There is an English flavour to the pack with Jordan Crane and Tom Croft returning in the back row, and veterans Ben Kay and Martin Corry pack down in the second row.

Form: Perpignan are holding their top four place in France well enough, and the strength and resolve shown in their most recent result - a 9-6 win at Montauban's Stade Sapiac - will be just what they ned this week. Leicester have struggled with the loss of internationals and are lying a disappointing sixth in the Guinness Premiership, but have been in fine form when at full strength and are due a few strokes of luck.

The teams:

Leicester: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Scott Hamilton, 13 Dan Hipkiss, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Matt Smith, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Harry Ellis, 8 Jordan Crane, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Tom Croft, 5 Ben Kay, 4 Martin Corry, 3 Julian White, 2 Ben Kayser, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 George Chuter, 17 Dan Cole, 18 Marco Wentzel, 19 Brett Deacon, 20 Julien Dupuy, 21 Seru Rabeni, 22 Johne Murphy.

Perpignan: 15 Philip Burger, 14 Adrien Plante, 13 Christophe Manas, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 Julien Candelon, 10 David Mele, 9 Nicolas Durand, 8 Damien Chouly, 7 Jean-Pierre Perez, 6 Ovidiu Tonita, 5 Nathan Hines, 4 Rimas Alvarez Kairelis, 3 Nicolas Mas, 2 Guilhem Guirado, 1 Sebastien Chobet.
Replacements: 16 Charles Geli, 17 Bertrand Guiry, 18 Gerrie Britz, 19 Olivier Olibeau, 20 Farid Sid, 21 J�r�me Porical, 22 Kisi Pulu.

Date: Saturday, December 6
Venue: Welford Road
Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)