This is Leicestershire --
Leicester Tigers have changed almost their entire team for tonight's trip to face Worcester at Sixways (8.0).
Director of rugby Richard Cockerill has made 12 changes to the side that beat Gloucester 17-12 at Welford Road on Saturday.
Cockerill admitted that his decision to make so many changes was a "risk", and that he had one eye on next week's return to Heineken Cup action with the crucial trip to Wales to face the Ospreys.
The likes of Dan Cole, Marcos Ayerza, Julian Salvi and Manu Tuilagi have all been left out of the starting line-up for tonight's game at a Worcester side that have only lost once at home in the Aviva Premiership.
But there are also some big names returning with Steve Mafi, Mathew Tait, Thomas Waldrom and Tom Croft having recovered from injury, and Toby Flood back in the No.10 shirt having pulled out of last week's clash with illness.
The starting XV that Cockerill has chosen shows the true strength in depth at the club this season, and he says he will trust his full squad to get the job done and complete the festive period with a third consecutive win.
"We are resting a few guys because we have two big games in Europe coming up afterwards," said Cockerill.
"There is a risk in making that many changes, but there is also risk in not doing so. These guys will be fresh and up for the battle.
"We are not taking Worcester lightly at all because they are a very good side who have proved how hard they are to beat at home this season. In situations like this, you have to trust the full squad and that is still a very good side, despite the changes.
"I expect us to be good enough to go to Worcester and get a result.
"It's good that Toby is back after recovering from illness. Dan Bowden plays after injury and only Anthony Allen's excellent form has kept him out.
"Steve Mafi is in there and Tom Waldrom is back, so it is a quality set of forwards.
"Bowden and Matt Smith is an exciting centre pairing and we have a quality back three. They have all played a lot of rugby and are all in good form.
"We are going into two weeks of very tough European action as well, so we are trying to get the best out of the squad."
Croft's return to the squad is of particular interest as he makes a first appearance in the side in more than nine months.
Although Cockerill said he was delighted to have Croft involved, he added that Tigers would have to monitor his progress very closely after such a serious neck injury.
"Having Tom back in the side after a long spell out is important," said Cockerill.
"We need Tom to be playing to potentially put him in contention to take part in Europe.
"He is game-shy, has not played at all and we will have to manage his workload after such a serious injury.
"But he's been training well and I am happy to take the risk because he has done some fantastic things for us." Reported by This is 1 hour ago.
Leicester Tigers have changed almost their entire team for tonight's trip to face Worcester at Sixways (8.0).
Director of rugby Richard Cockerill has made 12 changes to the side that beat Gloucester 17-12 at Welford Road on Saturday.
Cockerill admitted that his decision to make so many changes was a "risk", and that he had one eye on next week's return to Heineken Cup action with the crucial trip to Wales to face the Ospreys.
The likes of Dan Cole, Marcos Ayerza, Julian Salvi and Manu Tuilagi have all been left out of the starting line-up for tonight's game at a Worcester side that have only lost once at home in the Aviva Premiership.
But there are also some big names returning with Steve Mafi, Mathew Tait, Thomas Waldrom and Tom Croft having recovered from injury, and Toby Flood back in the No.10 shirt having pulled out of last week's clash with illness.
The starting XV that Cockerill has chosen shows the true strength in depth at the club this season, and he says he will trust his full squad to get the job done and complete the festive period with a third consecutive win.
"We are resting a few guys because we have two big games in Europe coming up afterwards," said Cockerill.
"There is a risk in making that many changes, but there is also risk in not doing so. These guys will be fresh and up for the battle.
"We are not taking Worcester lightly at all because they are a very good side who have proved how hard they are to beat at home this season. In situations like this, you have to trust the full squad and that is still a very good side, despite the changes.
"I expect us to be good enough to go to Worcester and get a result.
"It's good that Toby is back after recovering from illness. Dan Bowden plays after injury and only Anthony Allen's excellent form has kept him out.
"Steve Mafi is in there and Tom Waldrom is back, so it is a quality set of forwards.
"Bowden and Matt Smith is an exciting centre pairing and we have a quality back three. They have all played a lot of rugby and are all in good form.
"We are going into two weeks of very tough European action as well, so we are trying to get the best out of the squad."
Croft's return to the squad is of particular interest as he makes a first appearance in the side in more than nine months.
Although Cockerill said he was delighted to have Croft involved, he added that Tigers would have to monitor his progress very closely after such a serious neck injury.
"Having Tom back in the side after a long spell out is important," said Cockerill.
"We need Tom to be playing to potentially put him in contention to take part in Europe.
"He is game-shy, has not played at all and we will have to manage his workload after such a serious injury.
"But he's been training well and I am happy to take the risk because he has done some fantastic things for us." Reported by This is 1 hour ago.