Weve had a good pre-season, weve improved over the weeks, but now well see exactly how those preparations have gone, said director of rugby Richard Cockerill.

Northampton are a good side, they have good individuals and work well as a team, and they had a good season last year. Its a tough start and its going to be a big challenge. Two good sides should make for a good game.

Richard Blaze (foot), Geoff Parling (neck), Louis Deacon (back) and Jordan Crane (ankle) were not considered for selection due to injury, and Tom Croft will have to wait to make his first appearance of the season.

Crofty has been carrying a bit of a knock in pre-season and, although hes training again, we decided to give him a bit more time, said Cockerill.

Ed Slater is included among the forwards replacements, and there is a place in the 23 for Manu Tuilagi who is yet to make his competitive debut for the club.

Leicester Tigers (versus Northampton Saints, Franklins Gardens, Sunday 3pm)

15 Geordan Murphy (c)
14 Scott Hamilton
13 Dan Hipkiss
12 Anthony Allen
11 Alesana Tuilagi
10 Toby Flood
9 Ben Youngs
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 George Chuter
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
4 Calum Green
5 George Skivington
6 Craig Newby
7 Ben Woods
8 Thomas Waldrom

Replacements
16 Joe Duffey
17 Boris Stankovich
18 Dan Cole
19 Ed Slater
20 Ben Pienaar
21 James Grindal
22 Jeremy Staunton
23 Manu Tuilagi