Streaky clash at Welford Road

Published: Friday, 18. November, 2011 in category Heineken Cup

Both sides will be looking to end different losing streaks when the Leicester Tigers host Ulster in their crunch European Cup clash on Saturday.

The Irish province have lost their last eight away games in the tournament but they will fancy their chances against a Tigers side who still haven't won a home game this season.

Despite their horrible form at home the Tigers, the only side to successfully defend their European Cup crown, will be hoping to cement their place at the top of Pool Four with a good performance.

The two-times champions, who have a 16-game unbeaten run in Europe at their Welford Road fortress, recorded a 28-12 victory over Italians Aironi in the first round but failed to return home to the midlands with a bonus point.

The Tigers, who lifted the Heineken Cup in 2001 and 2002, and Ulster won their opening Pool games and something will have to give when the pair lock horns this weekend.

Ulster, who lifted the European Cup in 1999, rattled off an impressive 16-11 home victory over the highly fancied French outfit Claremont Auvergne at Ravenhill last weekend.

The teams:

Leicester: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Horacio Agulla, 13 Matt Smith, 12 Andy Forsyth, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Sam Harrison, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Jules Salvi, 6 Tom Croft, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Louis Deacon, 3 Dan Cole, 2 George Chuter, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 Rob Hawkins, 17 Boris Stankovich, 18 Martin Castrogiovanni, 19 George Skivington, 20 Steve Mafi, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Jeremy Staunton, 23 Niall Morris.

Ulster: 15 Simon Danielli, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Nevin Spence, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Paul Marshall, 8 Pedrie Wannenburg, 7 Chris Henry, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Dan Tuohy, 4 Johann Muller, 3 Declan Fitzpatrick, 2 Rory Best, 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Nigel Brady, 17 Paddy McAllister, 18 Adam Macklin, 19 Lewis Stevenson, 20 Willie Faloon, 21 Ian Porter, 22 Paddy Jackson, 23 Adam D'Arcy.

Date: Saturday, November 19
Venue: Welford Road
Kick-off: 18.00; 18.00 (GMT)
Referee: Romain Poite (France)