Leicester v South Africa, Welford Road, November 6
Tuqiri set for Tigers bow
Scrum.com
November 5, 2009
Leicester Tigers wing Lote Tuqiri poses at the club's training facilities, Oadby Town FC, Leicester, November 3, 2009
Lote Tuqiri is set to make his Leicester debut © Getty Images
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Leicester Tigers have named a side blending youth and experience for their showdown with South Africa at a sold-out Welford Road on Friday night.

New signing Lote Tuqiri is in line for a debut from the replacements bench and head coach Richard Cockerill has rested this season's ever-presents Jeremy Staunton and Anthony Allen. Fly-half duties and the captaincy go to former All Black Aaron Mauger. Academy duo Andy Forsyth and Manu Tuilagi start in the centre with the exciting Ben Youngs wearing No.9.

The pack is unchanged from the eight that started Saturday's win over Northampton, with Calum Green making his second senior start in the second-row alongside England World Cup-winner Ben Kay. In the front-row there is a fearsome combination as Marcos Ayerza, Mefin Davies and Martin Castrogiovanni pack down.

The Springboks are expecting a tough examination, with coach Dick Muir insisitng that their preparations have been full-on.

"It's a huge game and we will treat it like any other game," said Muir. "It will be good preparation for the game against France because Leicester have some great players and internationals all over the place and they play a great brand of rugby.

"Although they have lost a few of their top players to the England squad, they have good depth and they will be tough opponents. It's a chance for the newcomers to stake a claim as there are places on the bench and in the starting line-up up for grabs for the game against France."

Leicester Tigers: Scott Hamilton; Lucas Amorosino, Andy Forsyth, Manu Tuilagi, Johne Murphy; Aaron Mauger (capt), Ben Youngs; Marcos Ayerza, Mefin Davies, Martin Castrogiovanni, Calum Green, Ben Kay, Geoff Parling, Ben Pienaar, Brett Deacon

Replacements: George Chuter, Dan Cole, Tom Armes, Dan Hemingway, James Grindal, Greig Tonks, Lote Tuqiri

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