Leicester Tigers v Exeter Chiefs: LV= Cup semi-final preview
Last Updated: 15/03/15 12:49pm
Leicester have chosen four internationals for their LV= Cup semi-final against Exeter, including All Black Brad Thorn.
Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill has selected the quartet as his side attempts to reach the final of the competition for the first time in three years.
Robert Barbieri, Blaine Scully and Christian Loamanu have all been called into the team for the game at Welford Road.
Thorn comes into the game having won a World Cup, a Super Rugby title, and the Heineken Cup, and will want to add to his tally with a strong performance in his side's showdown with the increasingly threatening Chiefs.
Speaking ahead of the fixture Cockerill said: "We've had a good mix in the Cup with young players coming in and taking their opportunities alongside some of the more senior players.
"Their energy has been very important in the camp and now they have another opportunity with a place in the final for the winners."
Exeter come into the clash as defending champions, and have selected a strong side as they seek back-to-back trophies.
The Chiefs come into the game off the back of four consecutive wins in the Premiership over Falcons, Harlequins, Bath and London Welsh.
Ceri Sweeney captains the side from fly-half where he partners Haydn Thomas in the half-backs while Sireli Naqelevuki features at inside centre.
Kai Horstmann slots in at No 8 for the team and he is joined in the loose trio by Ben White and openside Sam Simmonds.
Exeter skills coach Ricky Pellow says his team is looking forward to the occasion.
“Whatever side you play in a semi-final is always going to be tough, but to go up to Leicester and to play them on their home patch is a real exciting challenge for the guys,” said Pellow.
“We have talked all week about if you’re going to win anything, you’re going to have to win it the hard way."
Leicester Tigers: 15 Blaine Scully, 14 Matt Smith, 13 George Catchpole, 12 Christian Loamanu, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Tommy Bell, 9 David Mele; 1 Michele Rizzo, 2 Harry Thacker, 3 Fraser Balmain, 4 Brad Thorn, 5 Sebastian De Chaves (c), 6 Jack Whetton, 7 Robert Barbieri, 8 Laurence Pearce.
Replacements: 16 Neil Briggs, 17 Tom Bristow, 18 Logovi'i Mulipola, 19 Tom Price, 20 Julian Salvi, 21 Sam Harrison, 22 Terrence Hepetema, 23 Adam Thompstone.
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Max Bodilly, 14 Fetu’u Vainikolo, 13 Adam Hughes, 12 Sireli Naqelevuki, 11 Tom James, 10 Ceri Sweeney (c), 9 Haydn Thomas; 1 Brett Sturgess, 2 Elvis Taione, 3 Moray Low, 4 Mitch Lees, 5 Jerry Sexton, 6 Ben White, 7 Sam Simmonds, 8 Kai Horstmann.
Replacements: 16 Greg Bateman, 17 Carl Rimmer, 18 Alex Brown, 19 Ed Holmes, 20 Joel Conlon, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 Tom Hendrickson.
Watch Leicester Tigers v Exeter Chiefs live on Sky Sports 3 on Sunday from 12.45pm
