Injury-hit Leicester recall Tom Manz from Cardiff loan for Newcastle trip

Leicester Tigers have recalled lock Tom Manz from his season-long loan at Cardiff, naming him on the bench for Saturday’s Premiership trip to Newcastle’s Kingston Park after Finn Carnduff sustained an injury in last weekend’s ‘s home defeat to Saracens.

Manz, who stands 6‘8” and describes himself as a lifelong Leicester fan, is set to make his 25th appearance for the Tigers if called upon. The move brings him back to Welford Road ahead of schedule, with his loan at Cardiff cut short by the injury crisis in Leicester’s second row.

Head coach Geoff Parling has made four changes to the starting XV that faced Saracens in round one. Orlando Bailey comes in at inside centre, replacing Joseph Woodward, while James Thompson is promoted from the replacements bench to start in the locks alongside Cameron Henderson. Gabriel Hamer-Webb retains his wing berth after scoring a hat-trick against Saracens, and Adam Radwan faces his former club in the 14 shirt.

The half-back pairing of Billy Searle and captain Jack van Poortvliet is unchanged, as is the all-Welsh back row of Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell and Olly Cracknell. Mako Vunipola, Samiuela Moli and Joe Heyes continue as the front row.

Leicester head to Kingston Park having lost their last six fixtures across all competitions — a run stretching back to a 47-33 win over Sale at the CorpAcq Stadium in round 16 last season. Parling is under no illusions about the scale of the challenge awaiting his side.

“Newcastle have spoken openly about how they want to play, and you can see the attacking threats that they pose, so this is a great test for our work-rate and defensive resolve,” said Parling. “We head up to Kingston Park knowing that this is another opportunity to show how much we care for the bloke next to us.”

Will Wand, last season’s double Premiership Player of the Month winner, drops to the bench despite Bailey’s inclusion, with Solomone Kata keeping his place at outside centre.