Premiership Rugby returns this weekend after a two-month break with the English top division halting all competitive matches whilst their elite players were on international duties. With the Six Nations now over, the players are back within the club fold and ready to do battle against their former international teammates.
The first two games take place on Friday 22nd March with Bristol Bears hosting Northampton Saints at Ashton Gate, and Gloucester travelling up to Welford Road for what is expected to be a typical tough welcome at Leicester Tigers.
Hoping to regain some game time that was ultimately missed during the Six Nations, will be giant fullback Freddie Steward. The towering 23-year-old was unceremoniously dropped from the England starting lineup following a narrow victory over the Azzurri in Rome and never saw another minute of play during the championship, with England coach Steve Borthwick choosing the speedier and more attacking-minded George Furbank in his place.
LYON, FRANCE – MARCH 16: George Furbank of England looks on during the Guinness Six Nations 2024 match between France and England at Groupama Stadium on March 16, 2024 in Lyon, France. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
This came as a major surprise to many, particularly after is impressive showing against Wales the previous round. It is worth remembering that this is a transition period for England following the recent World Cup, so players are expected to be tested out at the expense of others during this time. This will still frustrate the immensely talented Steward, who will be hoping to prove to Borthwick in Leicester colours that he has what it takes in to regain the national shirt.
Scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet also returns for the first time since September after injuring himself ahead of the World Cup. Ollie Chessum, Dan Cole, Freddie Steward and Tommy Reffell will all start for Tigers, with Ben Youngs partnering Handré Pollard at halfback. Tigers are also boosted by captain Julián Montoya, Jasper Wiese and Solomone Kata who were ineligible last week.
Leicester Tigers head coach, Dan McKellar said: “It’s great to have the whole group back together.”
“The international boys have worked hard to reintegrate themselves and they’re ready to go and we’re focused on delivering a performance in front of our home crowd.
“It’s fair to say we’re all really pleased for Jack (van Poortvliet) to see him back fit, healthy and wearing a Tigers jersey.”
LEICESTER TIGERS MATCHDAY SQUAD
Starting XV | 15 Freddie Steward [81], 14 Josh Bassett [13], 13 Dan Kelly [76], 12 Solomone Kata [13], 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins [15], 10 Handré Pollard [27], 9 Ben Youngs [312], 1 James Cronin [28], 2 Julián Montoya [53], 3 Dan Cole [317], 4 Harry Wells [192], 5 Ollie Chessum [53], 6 Hanro Liebenberg [101], 7 Tommy Reffell [109], 8 Jasper Wiese [72]
Replacements | 16 Finn Theobald-Thomas [9], 17 James Whitcombe [48], 18 Joe Heyes [138], 19 Kyle Hatherell [16], 20 Olly Cracknell [36], 21 Jack van Poortvliet [66], 22 Jamie Shillcock [21], 23 Phil Cokanasiga [13]
GLOUCESTER RUGBY MATCHDAY SQUAD
Starting XV | 15. Lloyd Evans, 14. Jonny May, 13. Max Llewellyn, 12. Seb Atkinson, 11. Josh Hathaway, 10. Santi Carreras, 9. Stephen Varney, 1. Mayco Vivas, 2. Seb Blake, 3. Kirill Gotovtsev, 4. Freddie Clarke, 5. Cam Jordan*, 6. Ruan Ackermann (C), 7. Jack Clement, 8. Zach Mercer
Replacements | 16. Adam McBurney, 17. Harry Elrington, 18. Jamal Ford-Robinson, 19. Arthur Clark, 20. Freddie Thomas, 21. Albert Tuisue, 22. Charlie Chapman*, 23. Chris Harris
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