Northampton v Tigers: Teams

There could not be a better way to start the new Aviva Premiership season than the game at Franklin's Gardens which sees champions Leicester visit league runners-up Northampton on Sunday.

The top two in the table will square off on Sunday as The Tigers start the defence of the Premiership title with the toughest of away trips.

Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder says his side have been focused on their opening game all summer, as they look to lay down an early marker against the champions.

"Sunday's game is something that everyone at the club has looked forward to all summer," he said. "The players have worked hard to try and secure a place in the 23-man squad and there have been a lot of hard decisions that the coaching staff have made in terms of selection for the team.

"They all deserve their place. But now they have to work hard to stay there in what is a massive game for us. Leicester were deserved champions last season. They are the club that has set the benchmark for the rest of the league and we respect their achievements.

"But we have ambitions for a good season as well. And we have been fully focused all week on achieving a positive result on Sunday. That is all that matters for now as we continue to take everything one game at a time."

Tigers debuts

Leicester will hand debuts to two summer signings in George Skivington and Thomas Waldrom as part of a starting XV containing nine of the starters from the Premiership final in May.

Tom Croft will have to wait to make his first appearance of the season as he struggles with a slight knock, while Jordan Crane has an ankle problem and Louis Deacon a back injury to see them ruled out alongside Richard Blaze and Geoff Parling.

"We've had a good pre-season, we've improved over the weeks, but now we'll see exactly how those preparations have gone," said director of rugby Richard Cockerill.

"Northampton are a good side, they have good individuals and work well as a team, and they had a good season last year. It's a tough start and it's going to be a big challenge. Two good sides should make for a good game."

"Crofty has been carrying a bit of a knock in pre-season and, although he's training again, we decided to give him a bit more time."

Northampton: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Bruce Reihana, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha, 2 Dylan Hartley (capt), 3 Brian Mujati, 4 Courtney Lawes, 5 Christian Day, 6 Phil Dowson, 7 Tom Wood, 8 Roger Wilson

Replacements: 16 Brett Sharman, 17 Regardt Dreyer, 18 Tom Mercey, 19 Calum Clark, 20 Mark Easter, 21 Ryan Powell, 22 Shane Geraghty, 23 Joe Ansbro

Leicester: 15 Geordan Murphy (c), 14 Scott Hamilton, 13 Dan Hipkiss, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Ben Youngs, 1 Marcos Ayerza, 2 George Chuter, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 4 Calum Green, 5 George Skivington, 6 Craig Newby, 7 Ben Woods, 8 Thomas Waldrom

Replacements: 16 Joe Duffey, 17 Boris Stankovich, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Ed Slater, 20 Ben Pienaar, 21 James Grindal, 22 Jeremy Staunton, 23 Manu Tuilagi