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Leicester name team to tackle Toulon

(Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)

Steve Borthwick has made two changes to his Leicester squad to face Toulon away in the Challenge Cup semi-finals following last weekend’s cancelled quarter-final match against Castres. 

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Tigers’ XV has one change, with Kini Murimurivalu shifting from the wing to full-back and Harry Potter included on one wing with Nemani Nadolo on the other for the trip to France.

On the bench, Thom Smith replaces Jordan Taufua, who is unavailable after knee surgery this week and Dan Kelly is included as one of the replacement backs.

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Toulouse veteran Jerome Kaino gusts on All Access, the RugbyPass interview show

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Toulouse veteran Jerome Kaino gusts on All Access, the RugbyPass interview show

Ellis Genge, Tom Youngs and Dan Cole make up the front row, with Tomas Lavanini and Calum Green as the locks in the tight five. Tommy Reffell, who missed the club’s last outing against Northampton at Welford Road, starts at openside flanker alongside Harry Wells and Hanro Liebenberg in the Leicester back row.

Ben Youngs and George Ford are the half-backs, with the Tigers fly-half making his first appearance in three weeks after sitting out the last two games with an ankle issue. Jaco Taute also returns after a spell on the sidelines with a knee complaint and is at outside centre alongside Matt Scott in the midfield.

Borthwick said: “We have got a great blend of experienced players. We have got players who have experienced European rugby, we have got players who have recently been playing in France and also some exciting younger players who are products of the Leicester academy.

“Toulon are a famous club, rich in history. They’re a team that has undergone a bit of change but they are a team that are still full of international players, big-name players and everyone is excited about going down there and taking on this challenge.

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“Lots of people have said to me this week, outside of this squad, nobody gives us a chance in this game. What I see is a squad of young men who are determined to do well and are committed to doing well and will be well prepared.”

TOULON: 15. Daniel Ikpefan; 14. Masivesi Dakuwaqa, 13. Bryce Heem, 12. Duncan Paia’aua, 11. Gabin VilliEre; 10. Louis Carbonel, 9. Tane Takulua; 1. Jean Baptiste Gros, 2. Anthony Etrillard (capt), 3. Beka Gigashvili, 4. Swan Rebbadj, 5. Romain Taofifenua, 6. Charles Ollivon, 7. Raphael Lakafia, 8. Sergio Parisse. Reps: 16. Bastien Soury, 17. Sebastien Taofifenua, 18. Emerick Setiano, 19. Erwan Dridi, 20. Brian Alainu’uese, 21. Julien Ory, 22. Anthony Meric, 23. Facundo Isa.

LEICESTER: 15. Kini Murimurivalu; 14. Harry Potter, 13. Jaco Taute, 12. Matt Scott, 11. Nemani Nadolo; 10. George Ford, 9. Ben Youngs; 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Tom Youngs (capt), 3. Dan Cole, 4. Tomas Lavanini, 5. Calum Green, 6. Harry Wells, 7. Tommy Reffell, 8. Hanro Liebenberg. Reps: 16. Charlie Clare, 17. Facundo Gigena, 18. Nephi Leatigaga, 19. Thom Smith, 20. Luke Wallace, 21. Ben White, 22. Zack Henry, 23. Dan Kelly.

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AM 9 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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