James O'Connor declared fit to start for Leicester Tigers against Bath

James O’Connor has been passed fit to start at fly-half for Leicester Tigers in their Gallagher Premiership clash away at Bath on Saturday, ending a three-week absence caused by a knock sustained in the 47-33 win over Sale Sharks.

The 70-cap Wallaby comes in as a direct replacement for Charlie Titcombe, who wore the number 10 shirt in last week’s first home defeat of the season against Exeter. O’Connor is partnered at half-back by Jack van Poortvliet.

Leicester head coach Geoff Parling had indicated in midweek that the selection was not guaranteed, so the confirmation will ease concerns among Tigers supporters who had feared Titcombe would face another difficult assignment, or that inside centre Orlando Bailey would be required to cover at 10. With Billy Searle effectively ruled out for the remainder of the season, O’Connor’s experience — accumulated across 70 international appearances and a lengthy professional career across multiple continents — is considered vital to Leicester’s title push in Parling’s debut season in charge.

O’Connor’s return is one of two changes to the backline. Former Bath wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb comes in on the left in place of Ollie Hassell-Collins, while Bailey and Premiership Player of the Month for May Will Wand continue in midfield. Adam Radwan and George Pearson complete the back three.

Off the bench, 20-year-old scrum-half Charlie Bemand is in line for his Premiership debut. Izaia Perese also returns to the squad after serving a two-match ban for a red card against Northampton Saints.

The fixture carries significant weight in the table, with second place and a home semi-final berth at stake. Parling was measured but direct when addressing the occasion.

“I’m expecting us to turn up with a great attitude and be clear in what we’re going to try and achieve,” he said. “We know what’s on the line, and we have spoken about that because that’s just being real, but our main focus is what we are going to do to perform against Bath to get a result.”