Leicester v Ospreys preview

Published: Friday, 19. October, 2012 in category Heineken Cup
Deacon: Returns from injury

The Tigers go into the contest knowing they cannot afford to slip up following their 23-9 defeat at the hands of Toulouse last weekend.

The manner of the loss was particularly disappointing considering the Aviva Premiership side had lost just once in the opening six rounds of their domestic competition.

They actually led their Top 14 hosts 9-6 just before the break, only to concede a sloppy try to teenage centre Gael Fickou when they turned the ball over in their own half with half time beckoning.

The only change made by director of rugby Richard Cockerill sees fit-again second-rower Louis Deacon take over from Ed Slater on the bench.

Meanwhile, Ospreys head on their travels fresh off the back of a 38-17 triumph over Benetton Treviso, Ashley Beck's late try clinching them an added bonus point at the Liberty Stadium.

Loose forward Joe Bearman has recovered from injury to provide cover amongst the replacements for the visitors.

Leicester: 15 Scott Hamilton, 14 Niall Morris, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Vereniki Goneva, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Jordan Crane, 7 Thomas Waldrom, 6 Steve Mafi, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Graham Kitchener, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Tom Youngs, 1 Logovi'i Mulipola.

Replacements: 16 George Chuter, 17 Marcos Ayerza, 18 Martin Castrogiovanni, 19 Louis Deacon, 20 Richard Thorpe, 21 Sam Harrison, 22 George Ford, 23 Matt Smith.

Ospreys: 15 Richard Fussell, 14 Hanno Dirksen, 13 Andrew Bishop, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Eli Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Jonathan Thomas, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Ryan Jones, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Alun Wyn Jones (c), 3 Adam Jones, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Ryan Bevington.

Replacements: 16 Matthew Dwyer 17 Duncan Jones 18 Aaron Jarvis 19 George Stowers 20 Joe Bearman 21 Rhys Webb 22 Matthew Morgan 23 Tom Isaacs.