Leicester v Quins: Teams
Leicester head coach Marcelo Loffreda has included 11 internationals in his starting XV, while Quins remain confident.
Last Updated: 09/05/08 12:57pm
Leicester head coach Marcelo Loffreda has included 11 internationals in his starting XV for the crunch tie against Harlequins at Welford Road.
Both sides go into the game needing a win to be in with a chance of making it into the Premiership play-offs - although Leicester would still need Sale to lose and Quins would need the Sharks or Wasps to slip up to sneak into the top four.
A victory, though, would assure the winning team a place in next season's Heineken Cup - and that remains Loffreda's first priority.
"Our first goal has to be to bounce back from Sunday's disappointment at Newcastle and gain the win that would allow us to qualify for the Heineken Cup," said Loffreda.
"After that, we can consider what has happened in other games and see where we finish in the league table.
"It has been a long season but we have prepared for this game as well as we possibly can and now the team must be at its best for the final time in the league at Welford Road.
"Harlequins have been in very good form and they come to Welford Road looking to finish in the top-four. We know we face a tough task but the players are ready for that and are looking forward to it. We want to finish our games at Welford Road on a high and a win would be a good way to do that."
Huge
Winger Johne Murphy returns to the Leicester line-up for the game after missing the last two matches through injury, while Boris Stankovich and Mefin Davies come into the front row.
Ben Herring has also shaken off an injury to be named in the back row alongside Martin Corry and Jordan Crane.
Harlequins director of rugby Dean Richards insists his side haven't given up on breaking into the top four, despite needing to beat Leicester and hoping Wasps or Sale slip up.
"We travel to Leicester for the climax of this season's fixture list. It will no doubt be a huge game for both players and supporters and I am looking forward to it being a well fought match," said former Tigers player and coach Richards.
"It is a young and talented squad who will be making the journey to Welford Road tomorrow. We haven't given up the fourth spot yet and we are still in with a shout."
Richards has shuffled his side following the defeat to Sale, with Chris Brooker and Nick Easter returning to the forwards.
In the backs Chris Malone wins the tussle for the No.10 jersey from Adrian Jarvis, while David Strettle starts at outside centre and Simon Keogh makes his final Quins appearance on the wing.
Leicester: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Tom Varndell, 13 Dan Hipkiss, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Johne Murphy, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Harry Ellis, 1 Boris Stankovich, 2 Mefin Davies, 3 Julian White, 4 Marco Wentzel, 5 Ben Kay, 6 Martin Corry (c), 7 Ben Herring, 8 Jordan Crane.
Replacements: 16 George Chuter, 17 Marcos Ayerza, 18 Richard Blaze, 19 Tom Croft, 20 Christophe Laussucq, 21 Sam Vesty, 22 Ayoola Erinle.
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Tom Williams, 13 David Strettle, 12 Tosh Masson, 11 Simon Keogh, 10 Chris Malone, 9 Danny Care, 1 Ceri Jones, 2 Chris Brooker, 3 Mike Ross, 4 James Percival, 5 George Robson, 6 Chris Robshaw, 7 Will Skinner (c), 8 Nick Easter.
Replacements: 16 Aston Croall, 17 John Brooks, 18 Jim Evans, 19 Tom Guest, 20 Steven So'oialo, 21 Adrian Jarvis, 22 De Wet Barry.