Team named for Sunday Service

Leicester Tigers are back in action just 5 days after their heroic victory over the New Zealand Maori and name 8 of the side to face London Irish on Sunday.  Brett Deacon starts his first game of the season and captains the side whilst Rob Hawkins also returns 34 weeks after having his elbow snapped by Callum Clarke.  Micky Young will also hope to finish a game for once as he starts alongside Dan Bowden and George Ford in the midfield.  Matt Smith recovers from his ankle knock to take his place in the centres.

It is also the return of the LV Cup to Welford Road, last year two home wins set up a semi final for the first time since the competition took on its current structure.  Last week a young side went down heavily away to Saracens but a stronger side will be looking to kick start the defence of the trophy at home.

Tigers:
15 Mathew Tait
14 Andy Forsyth
13 Matt Smith
12 Dan Bowden
11 Alex Lewington
10 George Ford
9 Micky Young
1 Boris Stankovich
2 Rob Hawkins
3 Fraser Balmain
4 Rob Andrew
5 Ed Slater
6 Michael Noone
7 Richard Thorpe
8 Brett Deacon (c)
Replacements
16 Jimmy Stevens
17 Jonny Harris
18 Kieran Brookes
19 Joe Cain
20 Jordan Crane
21 Sam Harrison
22 Andrew Symons
23 Henry Purdy

London Irish recall their England big guns as Derby born Jonathan Joseph and Alex Corbisiero are returned to the starting XV.  Former Tigers Ian Humphreys, in the 10 jersey, and George Skivington, at Lock, return to their former liar in what is a practically first choice Irish side.  Shane Geraghty also works his way back from injury at inside centre whilst Tagicakibau returns to the wing.  Scotland hooker Scott Lawson also returns to fold 7 days after facing New Zealand at Murrayfield.

Former Academy member Finlay Barnham is on loan from Nottingham and is looking to make his debut for the Exiles.

London Irish:
15. Anthony Watson; 14. Topsy Ojo*; 13. Jonathan Joseph*; 12. Shane Geraghty*; 11. Sailosi Tagicakibau*; 10. Ian Humphreys; 9. Darren Allinson; 1. Alex Corbisiero*; 2. Scott Lawson*; 3. Leo Halavatau; 4. George Skivington; 5. Matt Garvey; 6. Declan Danaher (Captain); 7. Jamie Gibson; 8. Alex Gray
Replacements: 16. Brian Blaney; 17. Max Lahiff; 18. Cai Griffiths; 19. Bryn Evans*; 20. Chris Hala’ufia*; 21. Tom Homer; 22. Steven Shingler; 23. Finlay Barnham