Michael Cheika names his Leicester Tigers team for the Gallagher Premiership final

Michael Cheika has named an unchanged matchday squad for Leicester Tigers’ Gallagher Premiership Final against Bath Rugby at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

The Aussie head coach has kept faith in the same 23 that defeated Sale Sharks in last weekend’s semi-final at Mattioli Woods Welford Road will run out for the decider.

Los Pumas legend Julián Montoya captains the side in what will be his final appearance for the club.

The match will also mark the end of Cheika’s tenure as head coach, with the Argentine one of six players preparing for their final outing in Tigers colours.

Montoya, Handré Pollard, James Cronin, and Matt Rogerson will all leave the club at the end of the season, while Dan Cole and Ben Youngs will retire.

Between them, Cole and Youngs have made a combined 678 appearances for Leicester.

Cronin, named among the replacements, will make his 50th appearance for the club if used.

Nine players in the squad featured in the 2021/22 Premiership Final win over Saracens: Charlie Clare, Cole, Montoya, Joe Heyes, Ollie Chessum, Hanro Liebenberg, Tommy Reffell, Freddie Steward, and Youngs.

LEICESTER TIGERS:
15. Freddie Steward
14. Adam Radwan
13. Solomone Kata
12. Joseph Woodward
11. Ollie Hassell-Collins
10. Handré Pollard
9. Jack van Poortvliet
1. Nicky Smith
2. Julián Montoya (c)
3. Joe Heyes
4. Cameron Henderson
5. Ollie Chessum
6. Hanro Liebenberg
7. Tommy Reffell
8. Olly Cracknell

REPLACEMENTS:
16. Charlie Clare
17. James Cronin
18. Dan Cole
19. Matt Rogerson
20. Emeka Ilione
21. Ben Youngs
22. Ben Volavola
23. Izaia Perese