Genge and Ford set for Welford Road farewell in Premiership semi-final
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: Jasper Wiese of Leicester Tigers breaks clear of the Northampton Saints defence during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints at Welford Road on April 24, 2021 in Leicester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
Leicester Tigers captain Ellis Genge and fly-half George Ford start their final home game as they bid farewell to Welford Road against Northampton Saints in Saturday’s Premiership semi-final.
Earlier in the season it was announced skipper Genge will return to his Westcountry roots and join Bristol Bears, while Ford is moving back up north to Sale Sharks ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
Juarno Augustus starts at No.8 for Saints, one of four changes made by outgoing boss Chris Boyd.
Courtnall Skosan and props Emmanuel Iyogun and Ehren Painter also come in.
The winners will go on to face either Saracens or Harlequins in the final at Twickenham on 18 June.
On what will be an emotional day for Genge and Ford, there will also be a minute’s applause in memory of Tiffany Youngs, the wife of former Tigers skipper Tom, who passed away earlier this week.
Ben Youngs, Tiffany’s brother in-law, will start at scrum-half for Leicester.
Hooker Julian Montoya returns after a month out, while centre Dan Kelly starts in his first appearance since mid-April.
Tigers, who finished top of the table to reach their first semi-final for five years, are looking to reach the Premiership final for the first time in nine years.
Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick says there is “plenty for us to improve on”, having struggled at the bottom of the table in recent seasons.
“You’re talking about a club here that very nearly got relegated two years ago – a club that wasn’t really respected, was losing most games and the only big games were relegation contests.
“To come back from that, every game is important, every week is important. Can we get better every week? And that’s the challenge again this week.
“One of the exciting things is there is so much more for us to do and so much more we as a coaching team and players can work towards here.
“The team has a lot of growth in it, it’s a young team, and it’s learning quickly from experiences.”
Northampton endured heavy losses against their East Midlands rivals so far this season – beaten 55-26 on home soil and 35-20 at Leicester.
But Saints secured a fourth-place play-off spot on the back of six victories in their last seven Premiership games.
Saints forwards coach Phil Dowson said: “We have worked hard to give ourselves an opportunity in a semi-final, and it’s exciting.
“We have taken a hiding twice (against Leicester), and they have been chastening experiences, particularly in a local derby.
“We have to learn our lessons from that and it is clear for us in terms of getting our game on the field and dealing with their very aggressive and dominant performances.
“How we manage to get ourselves into the game is integral to the success of our game-plan. We have to be physical and we have to be disciplined.”
Leicester Tigers: Steward; Potter, Moroni, Kelly, Porter; Ford, Youngs; Genge (c), Montoya, Cole; Wells, Green, Liebenberg, Reffell, Wiese.
Replacements: Clare, Leatigaga, Heyes, Chessum, Martin, Van Poortvliet, Burns, Nadolo.
Northampton Saints: Freeman; Proctor, Dingwall, Hutchinson, Skosan; Biggar, Mitchell; Iyogun, Matavesi, Painter; Coles, Ratuniyarawa, Lawes, Ludlam (c), Augustus.
Replacements: Haywood, Waller, Heffernan, Ribbans, Hinkley, James, Grayson, Francis.
Referee: Matthew Carley
Sunday’s The Rugby Paper will have extensive reaction to Saturday’s crunch semi-finals.
