Anglo-Welsh Cup
Leicester Tigers down to bare bones in centres
ESPN Staff
November 6, 2013
Matt Smith will miss Friday night's game against the Ospreys © Getty Images
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Leicester Tigers will go into Friday's Anglo-Welsh Cup clash against the Ospreys with academy players in the centres after they suffered fresh injuries at the weekend.

The Tigers are already without Anthony Allen, Manu Tuilagi and Niki Goneva and both Matt Smith and Dan Bowden were concussed against Harlequins at the weekend. New signing Terrence Hepetema is also out of action after suffering a fractured eye socket, also sustained during Saturday's match at Welford Road.

"It means some young guys are going to get an opportunity in what is a relatively big game on TV," Richard Cockerill told the Leicester Mercury. "The injury curse keeps coming back to get us but we have to keep doing what we are doing. The side for Friday will be a youthful one, with three or four senior guys in there who need game time.

"We've had multiple injuries and not one has come at training. They have all happened in games, and that is purely down to bad luck. But for that many injuries to hit us in midfield, you have to keep smiling otherwise you would cry."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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