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Gallagher PremiershipLeicester

Watson and Gopperth to make Tigers debut this Friday

By PA
Anthony Watson of the British & Irish Lions runs with the ball during the 1st Test match between the South Africa Springboks and the British & Irish Lions at Cape Town Stadium on July 24, 2021 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

England back Anthony Watson will return to action after a 10-month injury absence when he makes his Leicester debut on Friday.

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Watson lines up at full-back for the Premiership champions’ pre-season friendly away to Jersey Reds.

Watson, who moved to Tigers from Bath earlier this summer, has not played since suffering a serious knee injury in October last year.

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The 28-year-old is joined in Leicester’s starting XV by fellow newcomers Jimmy Gopperth, Phil Cokanasiga and Olly Cracknell.

Included in the 30-man squad are eight players who will make their first appearance for the club on Friday evening at Stade Santander International.

Hanro Liebenberg leads the side for the first time since his appointment as club captain.

The new skipper starts at No8, alongside George Martin and Olly Cracknell in the Leicester back-row.

Starting up front is Charlie Clare at hooker, with Francois van Wyk and Dan Cole as the starting props.

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Harry Wells and Eli Snyman are the starting second-row.

Tom Cowan-Dickie, Joe Taufete’e, James Cronin, James Whitcombe, Will Hurd and Nephi Leatigaga are the replacement front-rowers, while Finn Carnduff, Cameron Henderson and Sean Jansen are the fellow forwards on the Tigers bench.

Ben Youngs and Freddie Burns are the starting half-backs with Jimmy Gopperth and Phil Cokanasiga making up the Leicester midfield.

In the back-three, Anthony Watson makes his first club appearance at full-back alongside Nemani Nadolo and Harry Potter.

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Sam Edwards, Bryce Hegarty, Matt Scott, Joe Browning, Kini Murimurivalu and Lachlan Shelley are the replacement backs.

STARTING XV:
15 Anthony Watson
14 Harry Potter
13 Phil Cokanasiga
12 Jimmy Gopperth
11 Nemani Nadolo
10 Freddie Burns
9 Ben Youngs
1 Francois van Wyk
2 Charlie Clare
3 Dan Cole
4 Harry Wells
5 Eli Snyman
6 George Martin
7 Olly Cracknell
8 Hanro Liebenberg (c)

REPLACEMENTS: Tom Cowan-Dickie, Joe Taufete’e, James Cronin, James Whitcombe, Will Hurd, Nephi Leatigaga, Cameron Henderson, Finn Carnduff, Sean Jansen, Sam Edwards, Bryce Hegarty, Matt Scott, Joe Browning, Kini Murimurivalu, Lachlan Shelley

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Hilda Jose 8 minutes ago
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Rob 19 minutes ago
Finn Russell apologises for breaking female rugby fan's wrist

Lovely gesture, you love to see it

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fk 25 minutes ago
Richie Mo'unga lifts lid on 2027 Rugby World Cup ambitions

By seriously wrong I meant IF we couldn’t find a 10 in NZ after 2 years. Concerning the other 2, this trend of making utility players is damaging our players. What good is a first five/fullback when they can’t focus on either. One of the reasons Richie is in the mix is because he is a 10… only. Beauden has suffered the most with the constant switching, it’s affected Dmac and it will affect Perofeta in the future.

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Ed the Duck 30 minutes ago
Saracens to controversially rest England stars for Champions Cup KO game

Will be interesting to see how this one plays out but the English teams are down and almost out for sure when it comes to Europe.

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E
Ed the Duck 31 minutes ago
Saracens to controversially rest England stars for Champions Cup KO game

Not the full picture and it doesn’t relate to the round of 16 in this case. McCall made the decision when they unexpectedly (from their perspective) lost at home to Castres and ended up on the same side of the draw as Toulouse, likely QF opponents from the Toulon tie.

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Deneen Welch 47 minutes ago
Damian McKenzie signs long-term deal with NZR

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RedWarriors 1 hour ago
Saracens to controversially rest England stars for Champions Cup KO game

At least 8 teams have no chance of winning (or making a final) and I stand by that. They have lost more games than they have won to reach the knock out stage. We may get an upset in the round of 1/16, but unlikely.

The likes of Ulster, Munster and Northhampton will always put out their strongest team for an elimination match, but Saracens obviously have no interest.

Harlequins are dangerous opponents but Leinster, Toulouse, La Rochelle etc are rarely surprised (unlike Bordeaux last year). That said the big pitch in Croke Park will suit Harlequins.

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Jahmir Kyren 1 hour ago
Don't get out over your skis on the Highlanders

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Perthstayer 1 hour ago
The technical tweaks that could send Wales back to rugby's top table

Wales U20's were lumped in 1st game vs France but did beat Ireland and England. There are good players who will bubble up to surface.


Warburton is bright and well informed. WRU should get him involved somehow. Players and coaches respect him which is cornerstone to successfully implement unpopular change.

10 Go to comments
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RedWarriors 1 hour ago
Saracens to controversially rest England stars for Champions Cup KO game

I thought it was done last year?

So eg Bordeaux were 2nd in France but eliminated in last years QF by Harlequins so were in the second seedings and ended up in same group as Toulouse.

10 Go to comments
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RedWarriors 1 hour ago
Finn Russell apologises for breaking female rugby fan's wrist

Connor lauded Russell for making a painful injury “all worth it”.


Can someone ensure Russell signed “to Emily” (the injured party) on the jersey and that it goes directly to Emily and not via “It was all worth it” Connor?

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Deneen Welch 1 hour ago
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Alex 1 hour ago
Finn Russell apologises for breaking female rugby fan's wrist

lol collateral damage

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DS 1 hour ago
Damian McKenzie signs long-term deal with NZR

No we don’t. One guy has had two goes at the W Cup and been found wanting when the pressure went on! Move on.

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How to solve a problem like Welsh rugby

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DS 1 hour ago
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Best result of the season so far!

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JW 2 hours ago
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yeah scoring points is overrated aye

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JW 2 hours ago
Richie Mo'unga lifts lid on 2027 Rugby World Cup ambitions

Lost the jersey by putting in a performance his coach raves about too! The guy wearing 10 is not the problem in this relationship 😜

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JW 2 hours ago
Richie Mo'unga lifts lid on 2027 Rugby World Cup ambitions

By the time the next World Cup rolls around the Barrett vs. DMac vs. Mo’unga debate..

will shift from which combo is best to who has the sturdiest legs on them still.


But you obviously have heard of Patrick Pellegrini…

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