Hawkins has been out of action since his arm was broken in last season's final against Northampton.
However he starts alongside alongside Boris Stankovich and Fraser Balmain in the front-row.
Scrum-half Micky Young, who makes his first start at Welford Road, and Dan Bowden are also named in the starting XV.
London Irish welcome back a trio of international stars for the clash against the Tigers.
England duo Alex Corbisiero and Jonathan Joseph and Scotland hooker Scott Lawson are included in the line-up.
There are also places in the side for Matt Garvey, George Skivington and Alex Gray, while Tom Homer returns to action from the bench alongside new signing Finlay Barnham.
Leicester Tigers: 15 Mathew Tait, 14 Andy Forsyth, 13 Matt Smith, 12 Dan Bowden, 11 Alex Lewington, 10 George Ford, 9 Micky Young, 8 Brett Deacon (c), 7 Richard Thorpe, 6 Michael Noone, 5 Ed Slater, 4 Rob Andrew, 3 Fraser Balmain, 2 Rob Hawkins, 1 Boris Stankovich.
Replacements: 16 Jimmy Stevens, 17 Jonny Harris, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 Joe Cain, 20 Jordan Crane, 21 Sam Harrison, 22 Andrew Symons, 23 Henry Purdy.
London Irish: 15 Anthony Watson, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Shane Geraghty, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Darren Allinson, 8 Alex Gray, 7 Jamie Gibson, 6 Declan Danaher (c), 5 Matt Garvey, 4 George Skivington, 3 Leo Halavatau, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Alex Corbisiero.
Replacements: 16 Brian Blaney, 17 Max Lahiff, 18 Cai Griffiths, 19 Bryn Evans, 20 Chris Hala'ufia, 21 Tom Homer, 22 Steven Shingler, 23 Finlay Barnham.
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