Leicester v Viadana: Teams
Sam Vesty will make his first start of the season for Leicester in Saturday's Heineken Cup clash with Viadana.
Last Updated: 15/01/10 1:08pm
Sam Vesty will make his first start of the season for Leicester in Saturday's Heineken Cup clash with Viadana.
The England international returns from a hamstring injury to start in the number 12 shirt, forming a new-look centre pairing with Dan Hipkiss.
The Tigers are also able to call upon the services of Aaron Mauger again, with the New Zealand international included amongst the replacements.
Alesana Tuilagi is recalled on the wing while head coach Richard Cockerill has made three changes to the pack following the 34-8 win over Wasps.
George Chuter is selected at hooker, while flankers Tom Croft and Ben Woods come in to join Jordan Crane in the back row. Lewis Moody takes a set on the bench along with England colleague Julian White.
With his side currently top of the table in the Guinness Premiership, Cockerill is demanding his players maintain the same level of intensity in Europe.
Consistency
"What pleases me most with our performances in recent weeks is that we have been consistent in the way we have been playing. We have improved week on week and we have put teams under pressure," he said.
"We have competition for places and everyone in the team knows they have to earn their place.
"Viadana are a difficult team to break down, they've got a big forward pack and a bit of experience in the backline, and they will be very physical. We have to maintain the intensity we have shown in recent weeks."
Leicester currently sit second in Pool Three, four points behind an Ospreys side who face a tough trip to Clermont Auvergne this weekend.
Meanwhile, Viadana head to Welford Road having failed to register a point so far in this season's competition.
Boss Franco Bernini will still send out a full-strength XV, though, including former Bristol duo Sean Hohneck and Sam Cox. Carlo de Fava and Matteo Pratichettis also feature at lock and wing respectively.
Leicester: 15 Scott Hamilton, 14 Alesana Tuilagi, 13 Dan Hipkiss, 12 Sam Vesty, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Jordan Crane, 7 Ben Woods, 6 Tom Croft, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Louis Deacon, 3 Dan Cole, 2 George Chuter, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 Mefin Davies, 17 Boris Stankovich, 18 Julian White, 19 Craig Newby, 20 Lewis Moody, 21 James Grindal, 22 Aaron Mauger, 23 Johne Murphy.
Viadana: 15 Garry Law, 14 Matteo Pratichetti, 13 Sam Cox, 12 Lloyd Johansson, 11 Michele Sepe, 10 Pierre Hola, 9 Pablo Canavosio, 8 Jaco Erasmus, 7 Andrea Benatti, 6 Aaron Persico, 5 Sean Hohneck, 4 Carlo del Fava, 3 Julio Garcia, 2 Luigi Ferraro, 1 Plinio Sciamanna.
Replacements: 16 Roberto Santamaria, 17 Luigi Milani, 18 Mattia Cagna, 19 Josh Furno, 20 Gareth Krause, 21 Mickey Wilson, 22 Aldo Birchall, 23 Samuele Pace.