Leicester Tigers v Ulster Rugby Digital Matchday Programme (30-04-2021) by Leicester Tigers

LEICESTER TIGERs

VERSUS

ULSTER RUGBY

EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP F R I DAY, A P R I L 30, 2 0 2 1 K I C K- O F F 8.0 0 P M

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LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

THE TEAMS

LEICESTER TIGERS

ULSTER RUGBY

S TA R T I N G X V -

FREDDIE STEWARD

T P C D

JACOB STOCKDALE

IRL

GUY PORTER

T P C D

ROB BALOUCOUNE

MATÍAS MORONI

T P C D

JAMES HUME

ARG SCO

MATT SCOTT

T P C D

STUART McCLOSKEY

FIJI

NEMANI NADOLO

T P C D

ETHAN McLLROY

ENG

GEORGE FORD

T P C D

BILLY BURNS

IRL

ENG

RICHARD WIGGLESWORTH

T P C D

JOHN COONEY

IRL

ENG

ELLIS GENGE

T P C D

ERIC O’SULLIVAN

TOM YOUNGS (C)

T P C D

ROB HERRING

IRL

DAN COLE

T P C D

MARTY MOORE

IRL

HARRY WELLS

T P C D

ALAN O’CONNOR

CALUM GREEN

T P C D

IAIN HENDERSON (C)

ENG / LIONS ENG / LIONS

IRL -

IRL / LIONS

GEORGE MARTIN

T P C D

MATT REA

HANRO LIEBENBERG

T P C D

JORDI MURPHY

IRL

JASPER WIESE

T P C D

NICK TIMONEY

CHARLIE CLARE

T P C D

JOHN ANDREW

LUAN DE BRUIN

T P C D

ANDY WARWICK

JOE HEYES

T P C D

TOM O’TOOLE

TOMÁS LAVANINI

T P C D

KIERAN TREADWELL

CYLE BRINK

T P C D

SEAN REIDY

IRL

BEN YOUNGS

T P C D

ALBY MATHEWSON

NZL

ZACK HENRY

T P C D

MICHAEL LOWRY

KINI MURIMURIVALU

T P C D

WILL ADDISON

ENG

R E P L AC E M E N T S

ARG ENG / LIONS FIJI

M AT C H O F F I C I A L S Referee: Mr Pascal Gauzere (FRA) Assistants: Mr Romain Poite (FRA) & Mr Alex Ruiz (FRA) TMO: Mr Eric Gauzins (FRA) Citing Officer: Mr Jeff Mark (WAL) A N Y L AT E C H A N G E S W I L L B E C O N F I R M E D O N T H E W E B S I T E

IRL

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LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY CONTENTS 3 TEAMS 7

CHALLENGE CUP MESSAGE

WELCOME FROM THE CHAIRMAN

STEVE BORTHWICK’S NOTES

CLUB NEWS

BIG MATCH PREVIEW

THE STORY SO FAR

MEET THE OPPOSITION

A SPECIAL EURO ANNIVERSARY

TIGERS MATCHFILE

PREMIERSHIP ROUND-UP

FROM THE BOARDROOM

TIGERS PLAYING SQUAD

FULL FIXTURE LIST

PLAYER STATS

JUNIOR TIGERS CLUB

THE STAT PACK

COMMUNITY TEAM

THE TIGERS FOUNDATION

ON THIS DAY

MATT HAMPSON FOUNDATION

TIGERS FANZONE

LEICESTER FOOTBALL CLUB PLC Telephone 0116 319 8888 www.leicestertigers.com Facebook.com/LeicesterTigers Twitter @LeicesterTigers instagram.com/leicestertigers Executive Chairman: Peter Tom CBE Chief Executive: Andrea Pinchen Head Coach: Steve Borthwick Directors: Petar Cvetkovic,

Duncan Green, Ben Kay MBE, Fintan Kennedy, Tom Scott Company Secretary: Mary Ford Life Members: Garry Adey, John Allen, Bob Beason, Paul Dodge, Matt Hampson OBE, Dusty Hare MBE, Roy Jackson, Martin Johnson CBE, Ian Smith, Peter Wheeler Club Statistician/Historian: Stuart Farmer Child Protection Officer: Matt Johnson

ROLL OF HONOUR European Champions: 2000-01, 2001-02 English Champions: 1987-88, 1994-95, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2012-13 Zurich Championship Winners: 2000-01 Cup Winners: 1978-79, 1979-80, 1980-81, 1992-93, 1996-97

Anglo-Welsh Cup Winners: 2006-07, 2011-12, 2016-17 Premiership ‘A’ League Winners: 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10, 2010-11 Premiership U21 League Winners: 2002-03 Premiership Academy U18 League Winners: 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 (joint)

Photos © Pressesports

WE ARE RUGBY

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

EPCR CHAIRMAN

WELCOME MESSAGE Semi-final time in any tournament is special and this season’s European Rugby Challenge Cup is no different, with all four participating clubs having experience of lifting a continental trophy. Bath Rugby (1998), Ulster Rugby (1999) and Leicester Tigers (2001, 2002) all feature on the European Cup’s roll of honour, whilst Montpellier lifted the Challenge Cup in 2016 with victory over Harlequins in Lyon. Leicester find themselves 80 minutes from the final for the second season in a row and their contest against Ulster at Mattioli Woods Welford Road is a genuine clash of heavyweights that has often been a recent feature of the Heineken Champions Cup. Bath and Montpellier, who meet at The Rec, have not met since 2014-15 and this straight shootout gives the Gallagher Premiership club the chance to put one over the Top 14, whose clubs so dominate the ‘big brother’ tournament with three of the four Heineken Champions Cup semi-finalists.

This Challenge Cup season has operated with a modified format as a result of Covid-19’s impact on the global rugby calendar but the knockout rounds to date have still provided some compelling action, with attacking flair on show across the Round of 16 followed by some titanic and thrilling quarter-finals. The commitment of clubs across Europe to both tournaments has never ceased to both amaze and impress, irrespective of the format in which they are played. Working with all shareholder leagues and unions on the future formats for European club rugby tournaments has been high on our agenda in recent weeks and months and an announcement is due shortly. The collaboration has been really positive, all with the view of delivering the best for the tournaments and

all involved with it: players, coaches, clubs, fans, officials, leagues, unions, media, broadcasters and commercial partners. The knockout rounds to date have given terrific entertainment to global television audiences and we are grateful to BT Sport, beIN SPORTS, France Télévisions and Sky Italia for their comprehensive coverage as well as that of a host of linear, OTT and streaming solutions across a range of territories worldwide. We are proud to also share the journey to the final with the backing of official partners Tissot, the Financial Times, Gilbert and Kappa. Enjoy what promises to be a mouthwatering weekend of European club rugby semi-finals. Yours in Rugby, Simon Halliday, Chairman, EPCR

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LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

Peter Tom CBE

CHAIRMAN Opening words from the Chairman of the Leicester Tigers. Wherever you are watching or following this game this evening, we offer a very warm welcome on behalf of the Leicester Tigers. While we remain at a distance for the time being, I am delighted that we have been able to take our first steps out into our community after the long pause due to the pandemic. Local schools have been extremely keen to welcome us, with our community team putting on special sessions to promote

to get involved after a year of restrictions on sport and activity, and we look forward to visiting them much more often in the future. We obviously hope they become lifelong fans of the Tigers, but also that they continue their involvement in rugby at school and in our local clubs while learning the importance of its values. One of those is respect for opponents and it is a huge pity that we are unable to gather at

Ulster and their fans have visited before

exercise and healthy living among young people, while also introducing rugby’s basic skills in primary schools and providing extra coaching and guidance in senior schools. The community team report that all of these students have been very enthusiastic

Mattioli Woods Welford Road this evening because we have always enjoyed our meetings with Ulster Rugby and their supporters who have travelled in large numbers. Although it comes too late for this game, a ticket ballot is open now to season ticket holders for the fixture with Bristol Bears on

June 5 and we are delighted that there is now an opportunity for fans to return. Please check your emails for details of the ballot, which is open until Monday. It seems incredible that we are looking to the final home game of this season before we can see any of you in the stadium again after playing behind closed doors for all of the last 14 months, but every day that passes is another day closer to getting back to what we all know and love about matchdays here. We were all disappointed by defeats to Bath and Northampton but, as Steve says, we are at a different stage in our journey while also very clear on where we want to be and how we intend to get there. Finally, we were very saddened by the passing of Bleddyn Jones this week. After 333 appearances for the Tigers, he commentated on games for more than 30 years and has shared in many of the club’s greatest days. But more than that, he was a genuinely lovely man with so many friends in rugby. On behalf of everyone connected with the Tigers, I pass on deepest condolences to his family and friends in the knowledge that he will be much missed here. As always, thank you for your support, it means such a lot.

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

Head coach Steve Borthwick

FROM THE TOUCHLINE “Every game is of real importance to us and an opportunity to get better. We started behind the other teams and we need to keep working exceptionally hard to get better and to be competitive. Ulster are an exceptional team packed with internationals and they have been challenging near the top of the PRO14 for a while. They were in the Champions Cup this season which shows the calibre of the team and the players they have. That is a great challenge and it is one we are looking forward to. We will find out more about ourselves this week.”

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LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

CLUB NEWS Tribute to Bleddyn Jones Kick-off this evening will follow a minute’s silence in tribute to Bleddyn Jones, the former Tigers fly-half and radio commentator who died earlier this week, aged 72. A familiar face and unmistakeable voice around Tigers for more than half a century, Bleddyn was born in Brynamman in West Glamorgan in August 1948 and moved to the East Midlands to take up a teaching post in 1969. He had been a constant at the club ever since, as a player in more than 300 first-team games and then as the voice of Tigers match commentary on BBC Radio Leicester for over 30 years, covering more than a thousand games on the microphone. Tigers chairman Peter Tom said: “Bleddyn was such a lovely man, one of the nicest you could ever wish to meet, and he was part of this club for such a long time. “After arriving totally unannounced as a young man, he established himself at fly-half and barely missed a game for the next nine years. Then, of course, that wonderful Welsh voice became a central part of matchdays as a radio commentator. “Bleddyn had a huge number of friends within the game and everyone at the club is deeply saddened to hear of his passing.” Peter Wheeler, Dusty Hare, Richard Cockerill, Steve Johnson and Tom Youngs were among those who joined Peter Tom to pay tribute during an hour-long

special show on BBC Radio Leicester this week, showing just how much Bleddyn meant to the #TigersFamily. Martin Ballard, matchday announcer at Mattioli Woods Welford Road and a long-time colleague at the BBC, said: “There are lots of commentators who know their stuff but I don’t think anybody could colour a game like Bleddyn did.”

Initially a teacher at Humberstone Junior School, he was headmaster at Little Bowden until retirement in 2005. Bleddyn was a regular at events organised by the Past Players Association and never missed the annual Droglites reunion. He also gave his time to voluntary work in city hospitals, with Warning Zone and Wooden Spoon among others, and enjoyed a

Jones turned up to his first training session on the Recreation Ground opposite the stadium on the same evening as Peter Wheeler in 1969 and quickly moved into the first-team, making 333 appearances as a flyhalf - winning 200 of them - up to September 1978. He played for Midland Counties (East) against New Zealand in 1973 and in Tigers’ first John Player Cup Final, against Gloucester in 1978.

regular round of golf with his many friends. His Welsh tones were synonymous with Tigers' matchday broadcasts, including five European Cup Finals and every Premiership Final at Twickenham, and he was generous in sharing a well-told story to go with almost every one of them. He will be sadly missed and the club passes its condolences to all his family and friends.

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LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

THE BIG MATCH Tigers welcome Ulster Rugby in the tournament’s last four...

A place in a European final could be just 80 minutes away for the players of Leicester Tigers and Ulster as they run out at Mattioli Woods Welford Road. Two-time European champions Tigers are bidding to reach a sixth final in Europe - following appearances in the Heineken Cup showpiece in 1997, 2001, ’02, ’07 and ’09 - while Ulster also have pedigree as winners in 1999 and finalists in 2012. Tigers reached the semi-final in their debut Challenge Cup a year ago while Ulster had never played in the competition until meeting Harlequins in the knockout stages this term. Ulster are among a select group of visitors to have achieved European

success at Welford Road, winning twice at this stadium, and have a 7-3 advantage over Tigers in terms of previous meetings. The men from Belfast followed up their big win over Quins with a defeat of Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens in the quarter-finals, while also finishing second in their PRO14 conference behind eventual champions Leinster. They kicked off their Rainbow Cup campaign last week with a narrow defeat at home to Connacht, but did welcome back international lock Iain Henderson for his first game since the Six Nations. Ulster were the last visitors to win in Leicester in a European fixture, clinching victory by a single point here in January 2019.

FROM BOTH SIDES Belfast-born fly-half Ian Humphreys had captained Ulster Under-21s before joining Leicester in 2005 from Belfast Harlequins. A leftfooted long-range kicker with a turn of speed ball in hand, he started the historic win over Munster at Thomond Park in 2007 and played for Ireland ‘A’ against England Saxons on his home ground before joining Ulster in 2008. A regular there for four seasons, he had two years at London Irish before ending his career as he’d started in his home province.

MOST RECENT MEETINGS 2018-19

2018-19

2014-15

2013-14

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

ELSEWHERE IN THE SEMI-FINALS CHALLENGE CUP

HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP

BATH RUGBY v MONTPELLIER

LA ROCHELLE v LEINSTER RUGBY

BORDEAUX-BÈGLES v TOULOUSE

Winners of this trophy in 2008, when Steve Borthwick was captain, Bath came from 14 points down to beat Zebre in their Round of 16 last month and then beat an in-form London Irish in the last eight.

With contrasting Heinken Cup history, first-time semi-finalists La Rochelle host four-time European champions Leinster in an intriguing clash in the last four.

France international Matthieu Jalibert was the hero of Bordeaux-Begles’ quarter-final against Racing 92, kicking all of the points including a last-minute 55-metre penalty kick in a 24-21 victory to secure a place in the semi-finals for the first time.

They had started the season in the Champions Cup pool stages, losing 23-19 at home to the Scarlets and then having a declared defeat against La Rochelle when the fixture in France was cancelled. Montpellier beat Benetton Rugby in the only quarter-final without Gallagher Premiership representation to maintain hope of a repeat of their 2006 Challenge Cup win despite spending the season in the lower reaches of their domestic league. They beat Glasgow Warriors 26-21 in the Round of 16, with fly-half Alex Lozowski scoring 16 points, after starting the season with back-to-back defeats in the Champions Cup against Leinster and Wasps.

La Rochelle sit second in the French Top14 with 15 wins from 21 games and came through the Champions Cup pool stages with a 13-8 victory in Edinburgh and a declared win over Bath. Their knockout form accounted for two Gallagher Premiership teams, with an away win over Gloucester followed by an impressive 45-21 victory over a high-flying Sale Sharks, scoring six tries to reach the semi-finals. Leinster, winners four times since 2009, topped the poolstage seedings with bonus-point wins over Montpellier away and Northampton at home. After being awarded the Round of 16 win when the home game with Toulon was cancelled, they beat defending champions Exeter Chiefs away to make it to yet another semi-final.

KEY DATES Challenge Cup Final: Friday, May 21 Heineken Champions Cup Final: Saturday, May 22 Venues to be confirmed

The campaign started with a 16-12 win at Northampton, sealed with a try from former Exeter wing Santiago Cordero who capitalised on a 74th-minute penalty which came back off the post. A 47-8 win over the Dragons sealed a place in the knockout rounds, where they beat Bristol Bears 36-17 to set up the allFrench quarter-final with Racing. Another domestic tussle follows in the semi-finals, against a Toulouse team intent on rekindling memories of their serial triumphs in this competition. A 29-22 victory over Ulster in Belfast was followed by a declared win over Exeter in the pool stages, before victory over Munster at Thomond Park in the Round of 16. That strong form away from home continued in the last eight with a 21-12 win over Clermont Auvergne.

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

RULES & REGULATIONS IN THE EVENT OF A DRAW If scores are tied at full-time, then 20 minutes (two periods of 10 minutes) of extra-time will be played. If scores are still level after extra-time, the winners will be the team which has scored the most tries. If the teams are level on points and tries at the end of extra-time, then the winners will be determined by a place-kicking competition. PLACE-KICKING COMPETITION • Each team will be asked to nominate THREE goalkickers from the players on the pitch at the final whistle. • No substituted or dismissed player will be permitted to take part. • The end at which the competition takes place will be determined by toss of a coin. • The team to kick first will also be determined by a toss of a coin. • Each kicker will have two kicks from designated positions. • If the teams remain level, the competition will continue on a sudden-death basis. The three players from each team kick in the order and from the positions set out below: • Kicker 1 from Team A first to take his kick from Position 1, on the 22-metre line in a central position. • Kicker 1 from Team B as above. • Kicker 2 from Team A from Position 2, at the junction of the 15-metre and 22-metre lines on the right side of the pitch. • Kicker 2 from Team B as above. • Kicker 3 from Team A to take his kick from Position 3, at the junction of the 15-metre and 22-metre lines on the left side of the pitch. • Kicker 3 from Team B as above • Kicker 1 from Team A to take his kick from Position 4, on the 10-metre line in a central position. • Kicker 1 from Team B as above • Kicker 2 from Team A to take his kick from Position 5, at the junction of the 15-metre and 10-metre lines on the right side of the pitch.

• • •

Kicker 2 from Team B as above. Kicker 3 from Team A to take his kick from Position 6, at the junction of the 15-metre and 10-metre lines on the left side of the pitch. Kicker 3 from Team B as above.

After each of the three nominated players from each team has taken his two kicks, the referee will declare the winning team based on the number of successful kicks. If there is an equal number of successful kicks, the competition continues on a ‘sudden death’ basis. All kicks will take place from Position 4 in the following order: · Kicker 1 from Team A then Kicker 1 from Team B · Kicker 2 from Team A then Kicker 2 from Team B · Kicker 3 from Team A then Kicker 3 from Team B

The competition will continue until one player succeeds and the player from the other team taking the corresponding kick misses. • Once a player has positioned the ball on the kicking tee, he must take the kick within one minute. Should he take longer, the referee shall declare the kick unsuccessful. • Whether or not the kick is successful is the sole decision of the referee, who may at his sole discretion rely on the assistance of his assistant referees. • If a selected kicker becomes injured, he may be replaced by another player who was on the pitch at the end of extra-time.

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

ROUTE TO THE LAST FOUR In a unique season, with a new format for the European club competitions revealed before kick-off back in December due to the impact of Covid-19, further changes were required after Christmas. But now it comes down to a straight shoot-out for a place in the Final. Let’s look at how today’s teams made it this far…

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

round 1

Tigers Brive

39 Ulster 17 Toulouse

Jasper Wiese credited all 23 men in the squad for their role in getting Tigers off to a winning start in Europe. Two late tries ensured a bonus-point win in the first meeting with Brive since the 1997 European Cup Final and the French club’s first-ever visit to Mattioli Woods Welford Road. After being named EPCR Man of the Match, No8 Wiese said: “The guys starting did really well and wore them down in the first 40 minutes. Then the guys came off the bench and made a great impact and finished it well.” Six internationals made their first appearance of the season as scores from Tom and Ben Youngs in each half set the platform for victory before the hosts pulled away in the last 10 minutes with Cyle Brink claiming his first try for the club and, finally, Nemani Nadolo with the vital bonus-point effort. Respective fly-halves Joaquin Diaz Bonilla and Enzo Herve had traded early penalties before captain Tom Youngs burst out of a maul to score on the way to a 14-6 lead at half-time. The pattern continued after the break, with replacement George Ford kicking penalties to punish Brive before international team-mate Ben Youngs finished a sparkling attack featuring Hanro Liebenberg and debutant Matias Moroni with quarter of an hour remaining. Brive’s reply came on 70 minutes with a try from former Leicester academy wing Wesley Douglas, but Tigers ensured the victory with the late double.

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On the opening evening of action in the Heineken Champions Cup, Toulouse battled back from 12-0 down to record a crucial away success in Belfast. Ulster coach Dan McFarland said: “There was a lot of effort there and we were playing a top-class side. Sometimes it goes your way, sometimes it won’t. “But we weren’t good enough. From our perspective that game was winnable. “We had areas we were pretty dominant in and unfortunately in the first half we gave up two tries off bouncing balls. It was too easy for them. “We were pretty close in the end but we weren’t quite there.” Two tries from man-of-the-match Cheslin Kolbe provided the key to victory in Pool B after Ulster had dominated the opening quarter. Tries from Rob Herring and Ian Madigan got the home side off to a solid start but a 12-lead lasted for just seconds before Kolbe sprinted clear from inside his own half to score and then, just before the break, scrum-half Antoine Dupont ducked and dived his way over the tryline. After a Rory Arnold try from a maul for Toulouse, Herring’s reply put Ulster in front by a solitary point. The visitors, though, released Kolbe to find his way over for the next try and Thomas Ramos added a penalty from inside his own half to secure a sevenpoint victory.

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

round 2

Bayonne Tigers

20 Gloucester 28 Ulster

Three tries and determined defence in the face of three yellow cards carried Tigers to victory in the first-ever European meeting with Bayonne on the weekend before Christmas. “It’s a tough, physical sport with 15 on the field so to have 13 requires a huge effort from the boys,” said forward Ollie Chessum after his European debut. “It took a massive effort from everyone, you could see that. James Whitcombe had never played before, lads like myself had not played in Europe – but Jaco [Taute] got everyone together on the same page and it was a huge team performance. I’ve sat in the stands and watched European games, and to win away in that shirt is very emotional.” A try from Tommy Reffell provided an early lead and Dan Kelly then drove over from close range as Tigers led 17-6 after half an hour’s play. But Bayonne combined pressure from their forward pack with dangerous back-play to manufacture a try for scrum-half Hugo Zabalza on the stroke of half-time with Tigers props Joe Heyes and Nephi Leatigaga in the sin bin. Outstanding work off the ball not only defended that lead but also gained the penalties which allowed Zack Henry to add to the advantage before Kini Murimurivalu latched on to the fly-half’s crosskick to push Tigers 15 points in front on the hour. A try from Andrie Gorin and a yellow card for Cyle Brink set up a tense closing spell as Tigers secured a first win in France since 2013.

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Fly-half Billy Burns confessed: “It’s probably as dark a changing room as I’ve been in” after Champions Cup defeat at Kingsholm, sealed with a late Gloucester try. But the former Gloucester player said the disappointment would have to be used for future improvement, telling the Belfast Telegraph: “If that’s what it’s got to be for us to learn and take lessons going forward then that’s the way. “It’s hard to look at now, but we’ll be better for this in the future, I can guarantee you that.” A try well into the red zone with 80 minutes gone from George Barton gave Gloucester a dramatic victory in a match which swung back-andforth throughout. The hosts started positively with a try from wing Louis Rees-Zammit, but Burns got on the scoresheet before Gloucester got back on the front foot with a penalty try while Ulster lost Rob Herring and Alan O’Connor to the sin bin. They stretched that advantage at the start of the second period as Mark Atkinson finished from a forward drive to lead 24-10. Ulster then found fresh momentum with tries from Michael Lowry and John Cooney, plus their own penalty try to lead 34-24. A third penalty try – this time for Gloucester – cut the gap again and Ulster lost Ethan McIlroy to the sin bin after a deliberate knock-on. Finally, Gloucester dealt the telling blow just five minutes from the end as Barton dotted down.

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

ROUND OF 16

Tigers Connacht

48 Harlequins 32 Ulster

After scoring seven tries to secure place in the last eight of the Challenge Cup, captain Ben Youngs said the squad were still looking to improve in different areas. Despite falling behind early on to a Kieran Marmion try, Tigers bounced back with four scores in half an hour to lead 24-11 at half-time on a rollercoaster evening and Youngs, on his return from the Six Nations, said: “The effort and attitude were great, but we’re also looking to see where we could get better – we conceded too many penalties and gave away points too easily at times. “I was excited to be back and to contribute, and it’s a privilege every time you captain this club.” Charlie Clare set the ball rolling with his opening try from a maul before Guy Porter, Matías Moroni and Zack Henry all celebrated their first tries for the club. But Connacht, with a strong record away from home, clawed their way back into the contest as tries by Eoghan Masterson and Alex Wootton brought the score to 27-25. They missed a penalty which would have snatched the lead but, after a second score from Clare, the visitors came back again to trail by just two points inside the last 10 minutes. Harry Wells then forced his way over for Tigers and Jasper Wiese crashed over from the base of a scrum to put the outcome beyond doubt, though Johnny McPhillips was denied a solo score which would have broken the half-century mark as he was held up under the posts.

21 57

Ulster cruised into the quarter-finals with a big win at Twickenham Stoop in their firstever Challenge Cup outing. Stuart McCloskey ran in the first of eight tries on the final evening of the Round of 16, but it was the driving maul that did significant damage as it presented scores for Rob Herring and then Sean Reid. Head coach Dan McFarland told BT Sport: “We needed to find a hammer in some aspect of the game that was going to put them under the cosh and the maul was it. “[Forwards coach] Roddy Grant has done a really good job on the forwards. We’ve had a lot of success in our line-out and our line-out defence and our maul.” Tom Lawday provided a reply for the underpowered hosts but a solo score from full-back Michael Lowry put Ulster 22 points in front at half-time. International hooker Herring claimed his second from another maul and an interception try from Billy Burns increased the daylight between the teams. The final 20 minutes saw the teams trade scores with Jack Kenningham and Jordan Els for Quins, and Alby Mathewson and Reidy again for their visitors.

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

QUARTER-FINALS

Tigers Newcastle

39 Northampton 15 Ulster

A dominant scrum provided a platform for Tigers victory which secured a place in the Challenge Cup semi-finals for a second successive year, but skipper Richard Wigglesworth said the all-round threat in attack was the most pleasing aspect of a successful afternoon. Wigglesworth said: “The scrum was unbelievably impressive. Falcons were down a few numbers there but that gave us a platform to have a lot of field position. “We want to pressure teams in a variety of ways. Today we got that right, the first 15-20 minutes is where we want to be, but we just dropped off a little bit with standards and execution. But it is a sign of where we are that we are a bit frustrated by it.” Harry Potter provided the opening score as he got on to the end of a kick in behind the Falcons defence from Johnny McPhillips and then referee Romain Poite awarded a penalty try when a maul was pulled down as it reached the tryline. Falcons skipper Mark Wilson was sin-binned, but a George Wacokecoke try brought them back into the game at 15-8 before half-time. Matías Moroni ran in a third try but Tigers had to wait to pull away as a second penalty try from a maul followed, plus two more yellow cards, and then Potter capitalised on space out wide to score his second.

27 35

Head coach Dan McFarland said Ulster’s knowledge in negotiating tight games helped them come from eight points down with two scores in the final quarter to eventually win at Franklin’s Gardens. “This is a group of players who have been to the well in tight games over the course of the last three years so they know how to win in tight situations,” he said. “They know how to show a bit of bite and they did that.” A try from Alex Mitchell got Saints off to a good start, but Nick Isiekwe, Sam Matavesi and Dave Ribbans all received yellow cards as Ulster fought back with a penalty try and anothr Rob Herring score from a maul. But European debutant Tommy Freeman ran in two tries in three minutes to push Saints eight points in front at half-time. Ulster were out of the blocks first after the restart with a score from Marty Moore, but they trailed by six points when Ollie Sleightholme ran free to score in the corner before finally regaining the initiative with two decisive scores in the closing 20 minutes of the game. Cooney capitalised on smart work at a lineout to score and then Billy Burns sent Stockdale through a gap to finally settle the contest.

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LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

T O D AY ’ S O P P O S I T I O N

ULSTER RUGBY – HONOURS –

1999 2012 2006 2003 EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS

EUROPEAN CUP FINALISTS

CELTIC LEAGUE WINNERS

CELTIC CUP WINNERS

– EUROPEAN CUP RECORDS – HIGHEST SCORE

v EBBW VALE 1998-99

BEST INDIVIDUAL SCORE

DAVID HUMPHREYS v WASPS 2001-02

MOST TRIES

MOST POINTS

MOST MATCHES

564

DAVID TRIMBLE

DAVID HUMPHREYS

RORY BEST

– 2020-21 SEASON RECORD – PLAYED

WON

POINTS 115 JOHN COONEY

DRAWN

LOST

TRIES 9 MARCEL COETZEE

R E C O R D V E R S U S T I G E R S P L AY E D 1 0 / W O N 7 / L O S T 3 A £ 1 4 . 7 M R E D E V E L O P M E N T H A S TA K E N K I N G S PA N S TA D I U M C A PA C I T Y U P T O 1 8 , 0 0 0

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

SQUAD 2020-21 – BACKS – Pos / Honours / Age / Last Club WILL ADDISON C

ROB LYTTLE

Ireland

Sale Sharks

Ireland 7s

ROBERT BALOUCOUNE W

Ireland

Academy

30 Connacht

Academy

Highlanders

Academy

Ireland -

Ireland

30 Academy

New Zealand

Munster

Ireland

Academy

20 Academy

Academy

20 Academy

DAVID SHANAHAN 21

Academy

JAMES HUME C

AARON SEXTON 30 -

BRUCE HOUSTON FH

Bristol

CONOR RANKIN

CRAIG GILROY W

STEWART MOORE

LEWIS FINLAY SH

Ireland

ETHAN McILROY

MARTY FADDES C/W

STUART McCLOSKEY

NATHAN DOAK SH

Academy

ALBY MATHEWSON

ANGUS CURTIS FH/C -

LUKE MARSHALL

JOHN COONEY SH

IAN MADIGAN

BEN CARSON C

Academy

Gloucester

JACOB STOCKDALE W

Ireland

HAYDEN HYDE C

20 -

BILL JOHNSTON FH

BILLY BURNS 24

Munster

Academy

Agen

MICHAEL LOWRY FB

LOUIS LUDIK FB

ONE TO WATCH FH

Ireland

A new Ireland international in 2020, Billy joined Ulster in 2018 after six years at Gloucester, where he represented England Under-18s and 20s and was part of the 2014 Junior World Championship-winning side. Irish qualified via a grandfather, he now has six caps.

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

– F OR WA RDS – Pos / Honours / Age / Last Club ONE TO WATCH

AZUR ALLISON BR

Academy

ACT Brumbies

Honda Heat

Academy

JOHN ANDREW H

SAM CARTER L

Australia

MARCELL COETZEE BR

South Africa

REUBEN CRUTHERS BR

Ireland

London Irish

Academy

UCD

Ballymena

Academy

Ireland

Academy

Leinster

Ireland

Worcester

Ireland

Lansdowne

Academy

Ballymena

Academy

Ireland

Co Maukau

Rainey OB

20 Academy

Leinster

Harlequins

KIERAN TREADWELL 30 Wasps

Ireland

ANDY WARWICK

JORDI MURPHY BR

NICK TIMONEY

MARTY MOORE P

TOM STEWART

GARETH MILASINOVICH P

BRADLEY ROBERTS 19

JACK McGRATH P

Leinster

SEAN REIDY 20 Academy

JAMES McCORMICK H

CALLUM REID

DAVID McCANN BR

MATT REA

KYLE McCALL P

MARCUS REA

ADAM McBURNEY H

After a successful schools career, he made his Test debut against South Africa in 2012 and gained selection for the British & Irish Lions squad in South Africa in 2017. A key man in Ireland’s 2019 World Cup squad, he was appointed Ulster captain that year.

TOM O’TOOLE

ROSS KANE P

ERIC O’SULLIVAN

GREG JONES BR

DAVID O’CONNOR

COMRAC IZUCHUKWU L

Ireland & Lions

ALAN O’CONNOR

ROB HERRING H

IAIN HENDERSON

30 Leinster

30 Ballymena

Payments

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*Lines are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays. If you have a speech or hearing impairment, you can call us using the Relay Service by dialling 18001 followed by 0345 850 8711* Calls may be recorded. To help us continually improve on our service and in the interests of security, we may monitor and/or record your telephone calls with us. Any recordings remain our sole property. Global Payments is HSBC’s preferred supplier for card processing in the UK. Global Payments is a trading name of GPUK LLP. GPUK LLP is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Payment Services Regulations 2017 (504290) for the provision of payment services and under the Consumer Credit Act (714439) for the undertaking of terminal rental agreements. GPUK LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England number OC337146. Registered Office: Granite House, Granite Way, Syston, Leicester LE7 1PL. The members are Global Payments U.K. Limited and Global Payments U.K. 2 Limited. Service of any document relating to the business will be effective if served at the Registered Office.

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LEICESTER

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LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

Paris revisited

As the 20th anniversary approaches, we want to share your stories of the Heineken Cup Final in 2001 when Tigers became champions of Europe. If you have some photos too, we’d love to see them... Everyone has a special memory of an incredible day, whether they were inside the Parc des Princes or following the game from a distance elsewhere. It is an occasion which will live long for anyone connected with the Tigers. Roger Chapman perhaps sums it up for so many when he says: “Now in my mid-80s, I have attended many hundreds of matches, but that one remains the greatest of all.” “It was our first ‘international’ rugby trip and the catalyst to me now having been to two World Cups, multiple Six Nations and many, many Tigers trips,” adds Noeleen Flanagan who has a collection of photos with the players and the cup after the game. “We went to one of the bars next to the stadium - lo and behold the team coach pulled up and the team got out with the

Cup. I even got to hold the Cup. It wasn’t me who damaged it!” Steve and Joy Hardy were also in the stadium and recall: “We spent the early part of the day walking around Paris and couldn’t believe that everywhere we went there was a mass of red, white and green Tigers shirts! “A little old lady dressed all in black asked me what was happening and I tried to explain in my very stilted French that our team were playing in a big rugby match.” Players and supporters have an opportunity to re-live their memories at a 20th anniversary dinner at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Friday, June 25 in an event hosted in partnership with Switch the Play Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting all sportspeople to successfully transition into life outside of sport.

Switch the Play was founded by Heineken Cup Final hero Leon Lloyd, scorer of two vital tries in Paris, and he will be joined by Tigers players past and present on a glittering evening. See the Tigers website to book your place. You can send your stories and photos by email to programme editor Gary Sherrard at gary.sherrard@ tigers.co.uk or marked for his attention by emailing tigers@tigers.co.uk.

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£65 (inc VAT)

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LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

– LAST TIME OUT – LEICESTER TIGERS 18-23 NORTHAMPTON SAINTS Saturday April 24 2021 / Gallagher Premiership Round 17 Attendance: Closed doors / Referee: Mr Karl Dickson LEICESTER TIGERS 15 Freddie Steward 14 Kobus van Wyk 13 Matt Scott 12 Dan Kelly 11 Kini Murimurivalu 10 George Ford 9 Ben Youngs

2P/C

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Ellis Genge Tom Youngs (c) Dan Cole Harry Wells Calum Green Hanrio Liebenberg Luke Wallace Jasper Wiese

Despite two tries for Nemani Nadolo on his return from injury and some late pressure close to the tryline, Leicester Tigers were beaten in the first East Midlands derby of the season. Northampton Saints, beaten just once away from home in any competition in 2021, led from the 11th minute when David Ribbans pushed his way over from close range and they were never headed by a Tigers team with six successive home wins on their record. Nadolo was just fingertips away from dotting down in the corner from Freddie Steward’s clever kick, but then grabbed his first try of the afternoon with a forceful carry to the right of the posts while Tigers were a man down with Matt Scott sin-binned. But Saints led 15-10 at halftime as Rory Hutchinson got on the scoresheet and they added to that advantage with penalties from Dan Biggar and a Sam Matavesi try before Tigers rallied again. Harry Wells returned from a yellow card as the forwards built momentum in attack and created the chance for Nadolo to dive into the left-hand corner, then Saints lost a man to the sin bin

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Charlie Clare Luan de Bruin Joe Heyes Tomás Lavanini Cyle Brink Jack Van Poortvliet Zack Henry Nemani Nadolo

as Tigers closed the game with some heavy carries just 10 metres out, but were twice denied by defensive penalties as their rivals got over the ball on the floor to preserve their lead. NOTEBOOK… Hanro Liebenberg, Nemani Nadolo and Cyle Brink back from injury and Kobus van Wyk from a four-match ban… Saints made late changes with the withdrawal

NORTHAMPTON: Furbank, Proctor, Hutchinson, Francis, Freeman, Biggar, Mitchell; Waller (cc), Matavesi, Hill, Ribbans, Moon, Wood, Ludlam (cc), Adendorff. Reps: Haywood, Auterac, Heffernan, Coles, Tonks, James, Tuala, Collins

of Teimana Harrison, Ehran Painter and Ollie Sleightholme… The 246th East Midlands derby. QUOTE... “The good thing is we are creating opportunities, the bad thing is we couldn’t take them today. You have to make the most of those opportunities or they can come back and bite you.” Tom Youngs

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LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

SEASON SO FAR

Review of standings with five rounds of Gallagher Premiership action remaining...

Just Leicester and Bath remain of the English challenge in Europe this season and the race for qualifying positions for the next campaign is hotting-up with just five rounds left to play. Clubs now know they can have crowds back for the final weeks too, adding to the excitement of a season which runs up to the end of June. Bristol have an eight-point lead in top spot, with defending champions Exeter Chiefs biting into that advantage at Ashton Gate last weekend, but there are still big points to play for in the final weeks, together with semi-final and European Cup qualification. SEASONAL BESTS 2020-21 Most points in a home game Harlequins 59-24 Gloucester Most points in an away game Worcester 14-62 Northampton Most aggregate points in game Bath 44-52 Wasps Biggest home win Bristol 48-3 Bath Biggest away win Worcester 14-62 Northampton

TRY SCORERS

POINTS SCORERS

SAM SIMMONDS Exeter Chiefs 14 DANNY CARE Harlequins 8 ALEX DOMBRANDT Harlequins 8 SIVA NAULAGO Bristol Bears 7 OLLIE SLEIGHTHOLME Northampton 7 MIKE BROWN Harlequins 6 TOM DUNN Bath Rugby 6 PIERS O’CONOR Bristol Bears 6 PAOLO ODOGWU Wasps 6 MARCUS SMITH Harlequins 6

MARCUS SMITH Harlequins 216 AJ MACGINTY Sale Sharks 146 PADDY JACKSON London Irish 144 RHYS PRIESTLAND Bath Rugby 112 JOE SIMMONDS Exeter Chiefs 96 ZACK HENRY Leicester Tigers 84 BILLY TWELVETREES Gloucester 81 SAM SIMMONDS Exeter Chiefs 70 JAMES GRAYSON Northampton 69 JIMMY GOPPERTH Wasps 66

DISCIPLINE Yellow Red Bath Bristol Exeter

12 3 Gloucester 12 3 5 - Harlequins 8 2 7 1 Leicester 15 3

London Irish 7 2 Sale Sharks 16 1 Newcastle 6 - Wasps 8 1 Northampton 8 - Worcester 8 2

ROUND 18 FIXTURES Friday, May 7 Saturday, May 8 Sunday, May 9

Sale Sharks v Leicester Tigers Northampton Saints v Gloucester Rugby Exeter Chiefs v Worcester Warriors Newcastle Falcons v London Irish Bath Rugby v Bristol Bears Harlequins v Wasps

(7.45pm) (2.00pm) (3.00pm) (3.00pm) (4.30pm) (3.00pm)

Pld

Pts

Bristol Bears

444

307

Exeter Chiefs

429

286

Sale Sharks

401

327

Harlequins

516

379

GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP TABLE

Northampton Saints

372

324

London Irish

336

379

Bath Rugby

391

472

Leicester Tigers

354

363

39 36

Wasps

375

453

Gloucester Rugby

382

444

Newcastle Falcons

262

333

Worcester Warriors

266

461

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

Andrea Pinchen

FROM THE BOARDROOM

Tigers chief executive officer Andrea Pinchen looks forward to the Match Ticket Ballot with fans on brink of a return. It’s the news that we’ve all been building up too here at Leicester Tigers! This week, the club shared details of plans for a match ticket ballot for the return of supporters to Mattioli Woods Welford Road. Under current government guidelines, Tigers will be able to welcome a reduced crowd for the final home game of the 2020-21 season, against Bristol Bears on Saturday, June 5 (3.00pm). All 2020-21 season ticket holders received an email with step-by-step instructions on how to join the ballot and how to apply as a group of up to six

family or friends (who must all be season ticket holders). If you haven’t already - CHECK YOUR INBOX! We don’t want you to miss out. Look in any Junk Mail folder too and add Leicester Tigers to your safe senders list. You will need your Tigers Reference Number (TRN) which is printed on your season ticket card and the TRNs of other season ticket holders in your social bubble if you are applying on their behalf as part of a group. Tickets will all be sold at a flat rate of £15 with the option to add a donation towards the club’s continued work in the community.

And now the important bit… all applications for this fixture must be made before midnight on Monday (May 3). That gives you this weekend to register your application and be in with the chance of being among the first supporters back at the stadium to watch the team in action. Successful applicants will be notified via email and text message to their lead booker. As always, our friendly and helpful ticket office are on hand to help, via email tickets@tigers.co.uk or phone 0116 319 8888 (option 2), or visit LeicesterTigers.com.

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

CLUB PARTNERS

Welcome and thank you to all of our partners for the 2020-21 season...

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LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

OFFICIAL PAR TNERS

A S S O C I AT E P A R T N E R S

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS

TE AM TECHNICAL SUPPLIER

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

THE

TIGERS TEAM T H E M A N AG E M E N T T E A M

STEVE BORTHWICK Position: Head Coach

ALED WALTERS Position: Head of Physical Performance

BRETT DEACON Position: Assistant Coach

SIMON BARBOUR Position: Head of Analysis

TERESA CARRINGTON Position: Team Manager

MIKE FORD Position: Assistant Coach

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

F I R S T-T E A M S Q U A D

SAM ASPLAND-ROBINSON

RYAN BOWER

CYLE BRINK

CHARLIE CLARE

Position: Wing

Position: Prop

Position:

Back row

Position: Hooker

Born: 03/01/97

Born: 25/02/91

Born: 16/01/94

Born: 16/12/91

Height:

1.83m/6ft 0in

Height:

1.86m /6ft 1in

Height:

1.91m/6ft 3in

Height:

1.83m/6ft 0in

Weight:

94kg/14st 8lb

Weight:

108kg/17st 2lb

Weight:

114kg/18st 5lb

Weight:

110 kg/17st 4lb

ACADEMY GRADUATE

S P O N S O R E D BY:

JORDAN COGHLAN

DAN COLE

LUAN DE BRUIN

Position:

JOAQUIN DIAZ BONILLA

Back row

Position: Prop

Position: Fly-half

Born: 30/10/92

Born: 09/05/87

Born:

13/12/93

Born: 02/04/89

Height:

1.95m/6ft 4in

Height:

1.91m/6ft 3in

Height:

1.83m/6ft 0in

Height: 1.78m/5ft10in

Weight:

113kg/17st 11lb

Weight:

123kg/19st 5lb

Weight:

125kg/19st 11lb

Honours: England/Lions

Weight:

80kg/12st 8lb

Honours: Argentina

ACADEMY GRADUATE S P O N S O R E D BY:

S P O N S O R E D BY:

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

F I R S T-T E A M S Q U A D

NIC DOLLY

GEORGE FORD

ELLIS GENGE

CALUM GREEN

Position: Hooker

Position: Fly-half

Position: Prop

Position: Lock

Born: 11/06/99

Born: 16/03/93

Born: 16/02/95

Born: 15/07/90

Height:

1.83m/6ft 0in

Height:

1.78m/5ft 10in

Height:

1.86m/6ft 1in

Height:

1.93m/6ft 4in

Weight:

98kg/15st 6lb

Weight:

86kg/13st 7lb

Weight:

117kg/18st 6lb

Weight:

119kg/18st 12lb

Honours: England

Honours: England ACADEMY GRADUATE

ACADEMY GRADUATE S P O N S O R E D BY:

S P O N S O R E D BY:

ZACK HENRY

JOE HEYES

WILL HURD

Position: Fly-half

Position: Prop

Position:

Born: 01/10/94

Born: 13/04/99

Born: 29/06/99

Born:

Height:

1.83m/6ft 0in

Height:

1.93m/6ft 4in

Height:

1.86m/6ft 1in

Height:

Weight:

89kg/14st 0lb

Weight:

126kg/19st 12lb

Weight:

121kg/19st 1lb

Weight: Honours:

ACADEMY GRADUATE

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

F I R S T-T E A M S Q U A D

TOMAS LAVANINI

NEPHI LEATIGAGA

SAM LEWIS

HANRO LIEBENBERG

Position: Lock

Position: Prop

Position: Lock/Flanker

Position:

Born: 22/01/93

Born: 09/12/93

Born: 27/04/98

Born: 10/10/95

Back row

Height:

2.01m/6ft 7in

Height:

1.93m/6ft 4in

Height:

1.95m/6ft 5in

Height:

1.97m/6ft 5 in

Weight:

130kg/20st 7lb

Weight:

149kg/23st 6lb

Weight:

110kg/17st 4lb

Weight:

110kg/17st 4lb

Honours: Argentina

Honours: Samoa ACADEMY GRADUATE S P O N S O R E D BY:

DARRYL MARFO

JOHNNY McPHILLIPS

JULIÁN MONTOYA

MATIAS MORONI

Position: Prop

Position: Fly-half/Centre/Full-back

Position: Hooker

Position: Centre/Wing

Born: 01/11/90

Born: 13/03/97

Born: 29/10/93

Born: 10/07/91

Height:

1.85m/6ft 1in

Height:

1.80m/5ft 11in

Height:

1.83m/6ft 0in

Height:

1.83m/6ft 0in

Weight:

112kg/17st 9lb

Weight:

89kg/14st 0lb

Weight:

113kg/17st 11lb

Weight:

83kg/13st 5lb

Honours: Scotland

Honours: Argentina

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

F I R S T-T E A M S Q U A D

KINI MURIMURIVALU

NEMANI NADOLO

JORDAN OLOWOFELA

GUY PORTER

Position: Full-back/Wing

Position: Wing/centre

Position: Wing/full-back

Position: Centre/Wing

Born: 15/05/89

Born: 31/01/88

Born: 17/04/98

Born: 23/01/97

Height:

1.75m/5ft 9in

Height:

1.96m/6ft 5in

Height:

1.88m / 6ft 2in

Height:

1.85m/6ft 1lb

Weight:

83kg/13st 5lb

Weight:

120kg/19st 5lb

Weight:

92kg / 14st 7lb

Weight:

95kg/15st 1lb

Honours: Fiji

Honours: Fiji ACADEMY GRADUATE S P O N S O R E D BY:

HARRY POTTER

TOMMY REFFELL

MATT SCOTT

HARRY SIMMONS

Position: Wing Born: 15/12/97

Position: Flanker

Position: Centre

Position: Scrum-half

Born: 27/04/99

Born: 30/09/90

Height:

Born: 25/11/97

1.85m/6ft 1in

Height:

1.84m / 6ft 0in

Height:

1.85m/6ft 1in

Weight:

Height:

1.81m/5ft 11in

89kg/14st 13lb

Weight:

103kg / 16st 3lb

Weight:

101kg/15st 12lb

Weight:

90kg/14st 2lb

Honours: Scotland ACADEMY GRADUATE

ACADEMY GRADUATE S P O N S O R E D BY:

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

F I R S T-T E A M S Q U A D

JACO TAUTE

KOBUS VAN WYK

LUKE WALLACE

HARRY WELLS

Position: Centre/Full-back

Position: Wing

Position: Flanker

Position: Lock

Born: 21/03/91

Born: 22/01/92

Born: 02/10/90

Born: 29/09/93

Height:

1.91m/6ft 3 in

Height:

1.91m/6ft 3in

Height:

1.83m/6ft 0in

Height:

1.96m/6ft 5in

Weight:

108kg/17st 0lb

Weight:

98kg/15st 6lb

Weight:

100kg/15st 11lb

Weight:

110kg/17st 5lb

Honours:

South Africa ACADEMY GRADUATE S P O N S O R E D BY:

BEN WHITE

JASPER WIESE

RICHARD WIGGLESWORTH

GEORGE WORTH

Position: Scrum-half

Position:

Back row

Position: Scrum-half

Position: Centre/Full-back

Born: 27/05/98

Born: 21/10/95

Born: 09/06/83

Born: 08/10/96

Height:

1.81m/5ft 11in

Height:

1.91m/6ft 3ins

Height:

1.75m/5ft 9in

Height:

1.86m/6ft 1in

Weight:

87kg/13st 11lb

Weight:

116kg/18st 5lb

Weight:

83kg/13st 1lb

Weight:

95kg/14st 13lb

Honours: England ACADEMY GRADUATE S P O N S O R E D BY:

ACADEMY GRADUATE S P O N S O R E D BY:

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

F I R S T-T E A M S Q U A D

BEN YOUNGS

TOM YOUNGS

Position: Scrum-half

Position: Hooker

Born: 05/09/89

Born: 28/01/87

Height:

1.79m/5ft 10in

Height:

1.75m/5ft 9in

Weight:

88kg/13st 12lb

Weight:

104kg/16st 5lb

Honours: England/Lions

ACADEMY GRADUATE

S P O N S O R E D BY:

To sponsor a player or to receive more information on sponsoring a player please email Sales@tigers.co.uk

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

D E V E L O P M E N T S Q U A D

OLLIE ASHWORTH Position: Back row Born: 21/05/01 ACADEMY GRADUATE

JOE BROWNING Position: Wing/Centre Born: 14/04/01 ACADEMY GRADUATE

OLLIE CHESSUM Position: Back row Born: 06/09/00

OSMAN DIMEN Position: Prop Born: 30/09/98

SAM EDWARDS Position: Scrum-half Born: 14/06/02 ACADEMY GRADUATE

CAMERON HENDERSON Position: Lock Born: 13/01/00

EMEKA ILIONE Position: Back row Born: 20/03/02 ACADEMY GRADUATE

DAN KELLY Position: Centre Born: 16/01/01

HENRI LAVIN Position: Back row Born: 05/07/00 ACADEMY GRADUATE

JONNY LAW Position: Scrum-half Born: 19/12/00 ACADEMY GRADUATE

TOM MANZ Position: Lock Born: 09/07/01 ACADEMY GRADUATE

GEORGE MARTIN Position: Lock Born: 18/06/01 Honours: England ACADEMY GRADUATE

JACK ROWNTREE Position: Prop Born: 06/05/02 ACADEMY GRADUATE

KIT SMITH Position: Back row Born: 29/09/01 ACADEMY GRADUATE

THOM SMITH Position: Back row Born: 02/12/1999 ACADEMY GRADUATE

FREDDIE STEWARD Position: Full-back Born: 05/12/00 ACADEMY GRADUATE

JACK VAN POORTVLIET Position: Scrum-half Born: 15/05/01 ACADEMY GRADUATE

ARCHIE VANES Position: Hooker Born: 16/09/01 ACADEMY GRADUATE

JAMES WHITCOMBE Position: Prop Born: 20/11/00 ACADEMY GRADUATE

D Pos

FORD

DEFENCE D

ENEVER

DOLLY

DIAZ BONILLA

DE BRUIN

Result

COLE

COGHLAN

ATTACK Att

CLARE

Opponents

CHESSUM

BRINK

Date Comp

BOWER

SEASON STATS 2020-21

ASPLAND-ROBINSON

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

NOVEMBER 2020 Sat 21

GPR

Gloucester Rugby

22-08

● 38-15

Sun 29

GPR

London Irish (Sun 4.15)

03-13

● 09-22

5 6

DECEMBER 2020 Sat 5

GPR

Exeter Chiefs

08-22

● 13-35

Fri 11

ECC

Brive (Fri 7:45)

14-06

● 39-17

Sat 19

ECC

Bayonne (8pm)

17-13

● 28-20

Sat 26

GPR

Newcastle Falcons (2pm)

C-C

JANUARY 2021 Sun 3

GPR

Bath Rugby (Sun 3pm)

14-06

● 36-31

Sat 9

GPR

Northampton Saints (4.30pm)

C-C

Fri 15

ECC

Bayonne (7:45pm)

C-C

W/O 22

ECC

Brive

C-C

Fri 29

GPR

Sale Sharks (7:45pm)

08-10

● 15-25

FEBRUARY 2021 Sat 6

GPR

Worcester Warriors

13-03

● 36-31

Sat 13

GPR

Harlequins (4.00pm)

17-30

● 24-37

Sat 20

GPR

Wasps

14-03

● 27-08

Sat 27

GPR

Bristol Bears

03-14

● 03-17

MARCH 2021 Fri 5

GPR

London Irish (7:45pm)

14-03

● 27-08

Sat 13

GPR

Gloucester Rugby

15-07

● 20-14

Sat 20

GPR

Exeter Chiefs

12-28

● 31-47

Sun 28

GPR

Newcastle Falcons

16-00

● 26-12

APRIL 2021 Sat 3

ECC

Connacht Rugby (8pm)

24-11

● 48-32

Sat 10

ECC

Newcastle Falcons (12.30pm)

15-08

● 39-15

Sun 18

GPR

Bath Rugby

09-07

● 20-21

Sat 24

GPR

Northampton Saints

10-15

● 18-23

Fri 30

ECC

Ulster Rugby (8pm)

TOTAL

56 37 50 0 54 41 31 0

May 2021 Fri 7

GPR

Sale Sharks (7.45pm)

W/O 14

GPR

Harlequins

Fri 21

ECC

Sat 29

GPR

Worcester Warriors

Final

JUNE 2021 Sat 5

GPR

Bristol Bears

Sat 12

GPR

Wasps

W/O 18

GPR

Semi-finals

Sat 26

GPR

Final at Twickenham GPR ECC PRC

Gallagher Premiership Rugby European Challenge Cup Premiership Rugby Cup

1 5

5 9

Started match 5

12 16 5

9 5

5 5

Used as a replacement 5

Bench (not used)

5 5

10 5

5 10

Points scored in a match

3 5 5

5 5 5

5 5

PENALTY TRY

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

T.YOUNGS

B.YOUNGS

WORTH

WILLIAMS

WIGGLESWORTH

WIESE

WHITE

WHITCOMBE

WELLS

WALLACE

VAN WYK

VAN POORTVLIET

TAUTE

TAUFUA

STEWARD

SMITH

SIMMONS

SCOTT

REFFELL

POTTER

PORTER

OLOWOFELA

NADOLO

MURIMURIVALU

MORONI

MONTOYA

MARTIN

MARFO

McPHILLIPS

LIEBENBERG

LEWIS

LEATIGAGA

LAVANINI

KERR

KELLY

HURD

HEYES

HENRY

HENDERSON

GREEN

GIGENA

GENGE

FORD

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

PLAYER STATS 2020-21

NAME Sam ASPLAND-ROBINSON Ryan BOWER Cyle BRINK Ollie CHESSUM Charlie CLARE Jordan COGHLAN Dan COLE Luan DE BRUIN Joaquín DÍAZ BONILLA Nic DOLLY Blake ENEVER George FORD Ellis GENGE Facundo GIGENA Calum GREEN Cameron HENDERSON Zack HENRY Joe HEYES Will HURD Dan KELLY Jake KERR Tomás LAVANINI Henri LAVIN Jonny LAW Nephi LEATIGAGA Sam LEWIS Hanro LIEBENBERG Darryl MARFO

APPS 1+2 8+5 2+2 4+11 12+4 8+5 2+3 0+1 0+1 4+2 4+2 1 13+2 5+2 12+1 7+12 0+1 7+5 0+2 9+4 5+8 14 -

STATS 2020-21 TRIES 2 1 5 1 1 1 2 1 2 -

PTS 10 5 25 23 75 5 5 108 10 5 10 -

APPS 8+6 4+9 8+5 5+2 8+20 7+4 198+60 8+5 2+3 0+1 4+2 85+17 62+21 16+29 45+11 7+5 17+4 26+39 0+1 9+6 15+31 26+6 0+1 0+2 9+33 10+11 27+2 -

TIGERS TOTAL TRIES 2 1 6 1 3 8 7 1 1 3 1 2 2 1 1 2 3 -

PTS 10 5 30 5 15 23 975 35 5 5 15 139 10 10 5 5 10 15 -

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

NAME Johnny McPHILLIPS George MARTIN Julián MONTOYA Matias MORONI Kini MURIMURIVALU Nemani NADOLO Jordan OLOWOFELA Guy PORTER Harry POTTER Tommy REFFELL Matt SCOTT Harry SIMMONS Thom SMITH Freddie STEWARD Jordan TAUFUA Jaco TAUTE Jack VAN POORTVLIET Kobus VAN WYK Luke WALLACE Harry WELLS James WHITCOMBE Ben WHITE Jasper WIESE Richard WIGGLESWORTH David WILLIAMS George WORTH Ben YOUNGS Tom YOUNGS

APPS 2+8 5+3 3+1 12 10+3 4+1 7+3 6+1 10+5 13+1 2+1 16+1 2+2 6 3+10 11 2+6 13+6 0+4 2+7 12+1 10+1 4+1 12+4

STATS 2020-21 TRIES 1 3 3 2 4 1 2 3 1 1 2 2 3 4 1 1 4

PTS 25 5 15 15 10 20 5 10 15 5 5 10 10 15 20 5 5 20

APPS 4+14 7+4 3+1 12 13+3 9+1 30+11 11+4 10+2 27+16 19+1 10+15 5+5 24+5 11+7 16+2 6+12 12 7+9 63+55 0+4 27+44 12+1 10+1 3+1 41+21 206+51 166+44

TIGERS TOTAL TRIES 1 1 3 3 2 6 6 1 4 6 2 2 3 3 2 2 1 6 6 4 1 1 3 38 21

PTS 52 5 15 15 10 30 30 5 20 30 10 10 18 15 10 10 5 30 30 20 5 5 25 210 110

PREMIERSHIP

CLUB

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PRICES FROM

£50 per person £41.66 per person including VAT

excluding VAT

All guests as part of a booking must be from the same household/support bubble.

For more information or to book your place call 0116 217 1215 or email corporatesales@tigers.co.uk. Visit leicestertigers.com/vipevents Subject to government guidelines

Pictures taken from hospitality pre-Covid-19

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LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

Matchday mascot

Supported by

Supported by retailers NEXT, the Junior Tigers Club is THE place for young fans to celebrate their support of Leicester Tigers. Junior Membership is available now.

A massive Leicester Tigers thank you to Sienna Sanders who is today’s virtual matchday mascot. Like all of our Junior Tigers, we know you will be right behind the team even though you cannot attend games in the stadium at this point. But at least we can now start counting down to when games will be open to supporters again! A draw is held to find our virtual mascot for each home game among purchasers of Junior Tigers Club membership. Junior membership is £35 and includes free bobble hat and goodie bag.

5 to Tackle

1. Which player scored two tries for Tigers against Saints last weekend? 2. Which team did Tigers beat in the Challenge Cup quarter-final? 3. What colour home shirts do Ulster wear?

D C

4. From which club did Tigers sign Richard Wigglesworth? 5. From which country is today’s referee Pascal Gauzere?

B A

Picture puzzle Can you pick out the actual ball from the others we’ve added to this image of George Ford?

Did you know? Dan Cole made both his 100th appearance for Tigers (2013) and his 100th start (2016) in European Cup fixtures.

Answers: 5 to tackle: 1. Nemani Nadolo, 2. Newcastle Falcons, 3. White, 4. Saracens, 5. France; Picture Puzzle: B.

It has been a sensational season in the Heineken Champions Cup for France’s Top 14 clubs so far, as the league boasts three-quarters of the semi-final line-up. They also monopolise the accolades in Champions Try of the Round, with four winners from as many competitions to date in 2020/21. Toulouse have landed two of those, with Antoine Dupont’s Round of 16 score for the four-time winners away to Munster Rugby defined as that weekend’s pick of the action. That came after club colleague Cheslin Kolbe got the nod for a scintillating score away to another of Ireland’s provinces, Ulster Rugby, back in December.

For the fifth consecutive season, the Champions Try of the Round competition is launched on the Monday after each match round, with Try of the Season opening immediately after Finals Weekend. Juan Imhoff won the annual award in 2019/20 for his critical score in the semi-final win for Racing 92 over Saracens. Previous tries of the season had been scored by Nick Abendanon (2016/17), Tadhg Beirne (2017/18) and Maxime Médard (2018/19). Enjoy some high-calibre rugby and HAVE YOUR SAY in the winner!

La Rochelle’s Grégory Alldritt was given the quarter-final honours for his outstanding try against Sale Sharks with Channel 4 pundit and former Leinster Rugby No.8 Jamie Heaslip adding his views to those of the public vote to determine the winner. Alivereti Raka’s try for ASM Clermont Auvergne in a losing cause against Munster Rugby took the Round 2 competition.

EP C RUGBY.COM / TOT R

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

Kini Murimurivalu is joint second in the Challenge Cup for metres gained

This will be the first Challenge Cup clash between Leicester and Ulster, however the sides have met 10 times before in the Heineken Champions Cup (Ulster W7, Leicester W3). The last time Ulster visited Leicester they won 14-13, coming back from 13-0 down. Tigers had won three of four previous home games against Ulster prior to that game. Leicester have won all six of their home games in the Challenge Cup, scoring an average 5.5 tries per game and an average winning margin of 24 points. Ulster have won both of their two previous semi-final matches in Europe, on the way to winning the Heineken Champions Cup in 1998-99 and also in 2011-12 when they lost to Leinster in the final. Leicester are looking to reach a European final for the first

time since 2008-09 when they beat Cardiff Blues in a penalty shootout in the semi-final of the Heineken Champions Cup, before losing to Leinster at BT Murrayfield in the final. Leicester are yet to lose a scrum on their own feed in the Challenge Cup this season, winning 36/36 so far. No other team has had more than 11 scrums without losing at least one. Tigers are the top points (154) and try (19) scorers in the Challenge Cup this season. They have also made more tackles (573) than any other team. Jasper Wiese has made the second most carries (36) of any player in the Challenge Cup this season, also beating more defenders (18) than anyone else in the competition. Despite just playing two games each, the number of breaks made

Stat Pack SOME OF THE FACTS AND FIGURES BEHIND THE HEADLINES...

by Ulster duo Robert Baloucoune (6) and Jacob Stockdale (5) are bettered by only one player (Ollie Hassell-Collins of London Irish with 8) in the Challenge Cup this season. Kini Murimurivalu ranks jointsecond for metres gained (214) in the Challenge Cup this season. His average gain per carry (10.7m) is the best of any of the 38 players to make 20-plus carries.

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LEGAL ADVISERS TO THE LEICESTER TIGERS AGRICULTURAL n BUSINESS DEFENCE COMPANY & PARTNERSHIP n CONVEYANCING EMPLOYMENT n FAMILY & DIVORCE FINANCIAL SERVICES CLAIMS n INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LANDLORD & TENANT n LITIGATION & DISPUTES PERSONAL INJURY n SPORTS LAW TRUST & TAX PLANNING n WILLS & PROBATE

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EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS 2000/01

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£125 + VAT pp £1200 + VAT for a table of 10 TO BOOK:

LEICESTERTIGERS.COM/EVENTS

BESPOKE RUGBY OPEN DAYS WITH LEICESTER TIGERS Saturday 1st May & Saturday 15th May 09:30 - 12:00 Brooksby Campus Brooksby Melton College LE14 2LJ

Find out more & book your place!

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LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

LEICESTER TIGERS

FOUNDATION NEWS

Earlier this month, the club shared an update on the development of the Leicester Tigers Foundation monument project alongside on-going construction at the stadium. It is thanks to the generosity of supporters and donations of patrons that the construction of the monument, which will stand proudly on the new plaza area situated in front of the main stand, is reaching its final stages. Over the coming weeks, the club will share progress of the construction of the new design which features a bronze tiger head raised approximately 18 feet high on a plinth, with commemorative plaques.

YOU CAN S UR PURCHASE YO TODAY BY CLICKING HERE

The plaques will feature the names of the fallen Tigers who died in conflict, as well as the names of those who have donated and supported the project through the purchase of limited-edition Leicester Tigers Foundation crowns. The commemorative crowns will be available online only until 5.00pm on Monday, May 31, after which no more names will be able to be added to the monument. Monument designer Harvey Gardiner has also provided an update on the latest developments. “The great news is that despite the incredible and unforeseen challenges the Club and

Foundation have faced through the pandemic, with a fair wind we remain on track to deliver the foundation monument for November 2021”, Harvey said. “The design has needed to adapt and follow a process of evolution from the original concept created in April 2016 to get us to where we are now and its thanks to the fans, supporters and the Royal Leicestershire Regiment that the monument is entering the final stages of its creation.” Keep an eye out over the coming weeks for photos and a look at the project to date, including a lookback at the club’s armed forces links in ‘When We Were Tigers’.

Tigers v Ulster_Layout 1 22/04/2021 16:39 Page 1

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LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

Tigers History

APR

ON THIS DAY 1927

Tigers had never previously played this late in the year as they ended the season with a 5-5 draw at home to local rivals Northampton. Harry Edmiston was the tryscorer. 1955

Tigers equalled the club’s latest-ever finish to a season with a 17-15 win over Sale at Welford Road. George Cullen kicked four penalties, while full-back Brian Small converted the try by Peter Konig.

1983

30 2005

Bristol denied Tigers a fourth John Player Cup win in five years with their 28-22 triumph in the Final at Twickenham. Described as the best Final in the tournament’s history, it also signalled a last appearance for skipper Steve Johnson while serious injury ended the career of wing Tim Barnwell who required surgery to remove a blood clot on the brain after a first-half collision.

On an emotional afternoon, Martin Johnson, Neil Back and head coach John Wells - with more than 1,000 Tigers appearances between them - said a fond farewell to Welford Road after a 45-10 victory over Wasps. Backrower Back scored his 125th try for the club, with Harry Ellis, Daryl Gibson, Geordan Murphy and Dan Hipkiss also on the mark.

1994

2016

1969

Tries rom Garry Adey (3), Mike Brownhill (2), Trevor Spence (2), Chris Baynes and David Matthews completed a 41-15 win over Cheltenham in the Floodlit Cup. 1977

Paul Dodge, Steve Kenney and Robin Money were named in the squad for the Middlesex Sevens but Tigers crashed out after a 34-0 defeat to eventual winners Richmond. 1982

A try from Tim Barnwell and the kicking of Dusty Hare gave Tigers victory on the final day of the season, beating Ballymena 21-18. Loosehead prop Ray Needham made the last of his 126 first-team appearances on the trip to Northern Ireland.

Tigers ended the season with a 40-22 defeat at Bristol despite tries from Chris Tarbuck, Chris Johnson and Tom Reynolds, and finished second to Bath in the Courage League table.

Opeti Fonua was among the tryscorers in his final game for the club, during a 31-17 win over Worcester as Tigers stayed fourth in the Premiership table with one game remaining.

LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

Matt Hampson

FOUNDATION Update from one of the club’s official charities...

VOTE FOR US IN NATIONAL DIVERSITY AWARDS The Foundation and Matt himself have both been nominated for recognition at the National Diversity Awards in the Community Organisation and Positive Role Model categories. This is a real honour and testament to the fantastic work that everyone does at the Foundation and the difference we are making to the lives of our beneficiaries. In order to win, we need to drum up as many votes as possible and we’d love your support. If you can spare a couple of minutes, please visit the links below and cast your votes!

ANDY REHEARSES FOR WALK OF HIS LIFE Foundation beneficiary Andy has been using his rewalk suit for the first time in 18 months in the Get Busy Living Centre gym. The suit is a wearable exoskeleton which provides hip and knee motion to enable people with spinal cord injuries to stand, walk, turn and navigate stairs. Andy doesn’t have any movement or feeling in his legs, so the rewalk helps him to walk more independently. His daughter is getting married at the end of the summer and Andy is working as hard as he can in the hope that he’ll be able to walk her down the aisle.

MATT HAMPSON IN THE POSITIVE ROLE MODEL CATEGORY

MATT HAMPSON FOUNDATION IN COMMUNITY ORGANISATION CATEGORY

Once you have cast a vote, look out in your email (inbox and junk mail) for the message to validate your nomination. Thank you!

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PLAY. WIN. SUPPORT.

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LEICESTER TIGERS v ULSTER RUGBY

FanZone Thank you Bleddyn

LEICESTER TIGERs

“The great thing about Bleddyn is that when you met him, you smiled… I think he was just part of what made the Tigers” Peter Tom

VERSUS

ULSTER RUGBY

“I joined on the same day he did and he got into the first team while I had to wait for a few months. He was a player that everybody loved in their team” Peter Wheeler “He loved the Tigers through and through, and was just a pleasure to be around” Richard Cockerill

EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP F R I DAY, A P R I L 3 0, 2 0 2 1 K I C K- O F F 8.0 0 P M

PROGRAMME CREDITS

“He felt like a team member to me and others” Austin Healey

“He and his great mate Van Hopkins introduced my young ears to the Tigers on Radio Leicester. Thank you Bledd” BT commentator Nick Mullins

“A man with Leicester Tigers in his heart, a fine player and friendly face at Welford Road for many years” The Rugby Union Writers’ Club

“As familiar a sound as seagulls at the seaside, his voice was synonymous with Tigers matchday” David Greenham via Twitter

Cover star: Charlie Clare Editorial: Gary Sherrard, Phil Warrington & Sam Williamson Photography: Dave Wainwright, Malcolm Couzens, Geoff Sellars & James Baylis for Tiger Images and the team at Getty Images Design and Production: Ignition Sports Media

BIRTHDAY WISHES

Happy birthday to all of our season ticket holders celebrating today... • Charles Allan • John Bazely • Adam Bevan • Oscar Bott • Marc Carrington • Susan Clark • Joseph Cowen • Christian Dale • Joanne Daniels • Chris Drewery

• Janet Eggleston • Richard Forrester • Duncan Frazer • Sally Frazer • Chris Garley • Jayne Gittus • Richard Haydon • Molly Hughes • William Johnson • Sam Maher

• Phillip Maunder • Kate McKenlay • Lexi Milligen • William Morriss • Eve Russell • Mary Shelton • Rachel Smart • Shane Smith • Lacey Solly • Margaret Spedding

• Harriet Steele • Samuel Stewart • Anthony Stockton • Adele Sutton • Antony Sykes • Ian Tansey • Joanne Thompson • Adrian Wanford • Bob Wylie

Happy birthday to Tigers fan GEORGIA TOM from everyone at the club!

Challenge Cup_Portrait_176x246mm_170x240mm_5mm Bleed_UK.pdf

23/11/2020

15:36

OFFICIAL TIMEKEEPER

TISSOT supersport chrono. T I S S OT WATC H E S . C O M

Leicester Tigers v Ulster Rugby Digital Matchday Programme (30-04-2021)

Articles inside

THE TIGERS FOUNDATION

ON THIS DAY

THE STAT PACK

TIGERS FANZONE

JUNIOR TIGERS CLUB

THE STORY SO FAR

A SPECIAL EURO ANNIVERSARY

FROM THE BOARDROOM

STEVE BORTHWICK’S NOTES

CLUB NEWS

CHALLENGE CUP MESSAGE

WELCOME FROM THE CHAIRMAN

BIG MATCH PREVIEW