Leicester v Perpignan: Teams
Nicolas Laharrague, Steven Meyer, Jean-Philippe Grandclaude and David Marty are all out as Perpignan prepare to face Leicester.
Last Updated: 05/12/08 3:43pm
Nicolas Laharrague, Steven Meyer, Jean-Philippe Grandclaude and David Marty are all out as Perpignan prepare to face Leicester on Saturday.
There are returnees though, with David Mele continuing to play pivot, and there's no lack of talent outside with youngsters Adrien Plante and Maxime Mermoz both very able, and Philip Burger a nuisance at full-back.
Up front, Perpignan are not shy of confrontation, with Nathan Hines, Ovidiu Tonita and Nicolas Mas all set to provide an uncompromising challenge.
England half-backs Harry Ellis and Toby Flood return to domestic action for the Tigers, and they are joined behind the scrum by four more internationals.
Ireland cap Geordan Murphy starts at full-back, whilst the centre pairing sees England's Dan Hipkiss combine with former All Black Aaron Mauger. The final full cap is Scott Hamilton on the right wing.
There is an English flavour to the pack with Jordan Crane and Tom Croft returning in the back row, and veterans Ben Kay and Martin Corry pack down in the second row.
Leicester: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Scott Hamilton, 13 Dan Hipkiss, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Matt Smith, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Harry Ellis, 8 Jordan Crane, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Tom Croft, 5 Ben Kay, 4 Martin Corry, 3 Julian White, 2 Ben Kayser, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 George Chuter, 17 Dan Cole, 18 Marco Wentzel, 19 Brett Deacon, 20 Julien Dupuy, 21 Seru Rabeni, 22 Johne Murphy.
Perpignan: 15 Philip Burger, 14 Adrien Plante, 13 Christophe Manas, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 Julien Candelon, 10 David Mele, 9 Nicolas Durand, 8 Damien Chouly, 7 Jean-Pierre Perez, 6 Ovidiu Tonita, 5 Nathan Hines, 4 Rimas Alvarez Kairelis, 3 Nicolas Mas, 2 Guilhem Guirado, 1 Sebastien Chobet.
Replacements: 16 Charles Geli, 17 Bertrand Guiry, 18 Gerrie Britz, 19 Olivier Olibeau, 20 Farid Sid, 21 Jérôme Porical, 22 Kisi Pulu.
