Leicester v Saracens: Teams
Kris Chesney will break the all-time Premiership appearance record when he runs out for Saracens.
Last Updated: 14/03/08 2:20pm
Kris Chesney will break the all-time Premiership appearance record when he runs out for Saracens at Welford Road on Saturday.
The 34-year-old back row forward will make his 194th league appearance against Leicester Tigers having been named in the starting line-up which sees third play fifth in the Guinness Premiership.
"It's a great honour and one that I am very proud of," said Chesney.
"Things like this are a real highlight for me because over my career, I've not had a lot to shout about in terms of trophies or other honours.
"Running out at Welford Road will be a proud moment and hopefully come the final whistle it would have been a game that both the team and I will have enjoyed."
Delight
Andy Farrell (rib) and Francisco Leonelli (hamstring) return from injury to make the starting line-up in a backline that sees Dan Scarbrough revert to full back and Richard Haughton switch to the wing.
England's 2003 World Cup winner Richard Hill also returns to the team and is the only change in the forward pack following last weekend's victory over Sale Sharks.
Director of rugby Alan Gaffney expressed his delight to be welcoming back Farrell after missing the past three games, and was also quick to praise Chesney.
"It's a great achievement for Ches and one that he and the club can be proud of," he said.
"It's also good to have Faz back from injury. Adam Powell has been playing well, but Faz brings us a lot of experience and his return adds to the competition at inside centre.
"We've got a tough game this weekend against a quality side that even without players on international duty or through injury can still select a side packed with internationals.
"It's a big game for both sides especially with the Premiership table getting more congested by the week."
Seru Rabeni and Dan Hipkiss both return to the centres as Leicester prepare for the visit of Saracens.
Rabeni has missed Tigers' last five fixtures through a combination of suspension and injury, while Hipkiss was absent for Saturday's defeat at Worcester.
Argentine prop Marcos Ayerza also returns to the starting line up after missing the match at Sixways.
Having both made their comebacks from long-term injury as replacements against Leeds Carnegie at the beginning of the month, internationals Harry Ellis and Alesana Tuilagi make their second successive starts.
Martin Corry captains the side from the second row with Ben Pienaar again named on the openside flank following his Premiership debut last weekend.
Disappointment
"We know that Saturday's match will be very tough for us," said Marcelo Loffreda.
"Saracens have a very good side and they will be keen to win at Welford Road.
"We lost to them away earlier in the season so we know that we have to perform well if we want a victory.
"We were very disappointed to lose last weekend, especially after scoring a try so quickly after the first whistle.
"We have worked very hard in the week and we hope to put things right on Saturday.
"I have a lot of belief in the squad and we are all looking forward to Saturday's challenge."
Leicester: 15 J Murphy, 14 T Varndell, 13 D Hipkiss, 2 S Rabeni, 11 A Tuilagi, 10 A Goode, 9 H Ellis, 1 M Ayerza, 2 M Davies, 3 J White, 4 L Deacon, 5 M Corry (capt), 6 B Deacon, 7 B Pienaar, 8 J Crane.
Replacements: 16 B Kayser, 17 A Moreno, 18 B Stankovich, 19 G Gillanders, 20 C Lausuccq, 21 I Humphreys, 22 O Smith.
Saracens: 15 D Scarbrough, 14 K Ratuvou, 13 F Leonelli, 12 A Farrell, 11 R Haughton, 10 G Jackson, 9 N de Kock (capt),1 N Lloyd, 2 A Kyriacou, 3 C Johnston, 4 C Jack, 5 H Vyvyan, 6 K Chesney, 7 R Hill, 8 B Skirving.
Replacements: 16 M Cairns, 17 C Visagie, 18 T Ryder, 19 D Barrell, 20 M Rauluni, 21 A Powell, 22 B Russell.