Leicester v Cardiff: Teams

Martin Corry is one of six World Cup stars back in action for Leicester this weekend, as they take on Cardiff Blues at Welford Road.

The England flanker is joined in the Tigers team by international colleagues Ben Kay, Lewis Moody and Dan Hipkiss.

Fijian Seru Rabeni is also back in the centres, while Samoan Alesana Tuilagi takes over on the wing.

However, hooker George Chuter is not available due to a knee injury. Ollie Smith (hamstring), Sam Vesty (knee) and Brett Deacon (neck) are also sidelined.

Marcos Ayerza starts his first club game of the season in a front row that also includes the fit-again Julian White.

"It's great to have everyone back," said acting head coach Cockerill.

"We have been missing 13 senior international players with the World Cup and the injury to Harry Ellis as well as an experienced head coach, but under those circumstances we have still had a good start to the season.

"The players here have done a great job. Now we are in another important phase of the season and there is a real buzz around the place."

Blues rest trio

Cardiff have decided to change their entire front row for the game against the defending champions.

John Yapp, Gareth Williams and Taufa'ao Filise all start against a strong Tigers pack.

Second-rower Bradley Davies gets the chance to play while there is also a place for Wales international Martyn Williams in the back row.

The flanker fills in for Robin Sowden-Taylor, who along with Gethin Jenkins and Deiniol Jones is rested after picking up injuries in last week's win over Sale Sharks.

Richie Rees is the only new face in the back division. He comes in at scrum-half in place of Jason Spice.

Leicester: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Tom Varndell, 13 Dan Hipkiss, 12 Seru Rabeni, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Andy Goode , 9 Frank Murphy; 1 Marcos Ayerza, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 3 Julian White, 4 Louis Deacon, 5 Ben Kay, 6 Martin Corry (capt), 7 Lewis Moody, 8 Jordan Crane
Replacements: 16 Mefin Davies, 17 Martin Castrogiovanni, 18 James Hamilton, 19 Luke Abraham, 20 Christophe Laussucq, 21 Paul Burke, 22 Johne Murphy

Cardiff Blues: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Jamie Roberts, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 Gareth Thomas, 11 Tom James, 10 Nicky Robinson, 9 Richie Rees; 1 John Yapp, 2 Gareth Williams, 3 Taufa'ao Filise, 4 Bradley Davies, 5 Paul Tito, 6 Maama Molitka, 7 Martyn Williams, 8 Xavier Rush (capt)
Replacements: 16 Gary Powell, 17 T Rhys Thomas, 18 Robert Sidoli, 19 Scott Morgan, 20 Jason Spice, 21 Dai Flanagan, 22 Rhys Williams