2020-21 European Rugby Challenge Cup – Leicester Tigers vs Connacht Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Leicester Tigers vs Connacht taking place? Saturday 3rd April, 2021 – 20:00 (UK)
Where is Leicester Tigers vs Connacht taking place? Welford Road, Leicester
Where can I get tickets for Leicester Tigers vs Connacht? Visit official club websites for ticket information
What television channel is Leicester Tigers vs Connacht on? BT Sport have the rights to televise European Rugby Challenge Cup matches so it is worth checking their schedule
Where can I stream Leicester Tigers vs Connacht? If televised, BT Sport subscribers can stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app
THE TEAM NEWS
Leicester: 15 Zack Henry, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Guy Porter, 10 Johnny McPhillips, 9 Ben Youngs (c), 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Luke Wallace, 6 George Martin, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Cameron Henderson, 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Charlie Clare, 1 Luan de Bruin
Replacements: 16 Nic Dolly, 17 James Whitcombe, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Harry Wells, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Ben White, 22 Dan Kelly, 23 Freddie Steward
Connacht: 15 John Porch, 14 Alex Wootton, 13 Sean O’Brien, 12 Tom Daly, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Kieran Marmion, 8 Paul Boyle (c), 7 Conor Oliver, 6 Eoghan Masterson, 5 Gavin Thornbury, 4 Ultan Dillane, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 David Heffernan, 1 Denis Buckley
Replacements: 16 Shane Delahunt, 17 Jordan Duggan, 18 Dominic Robertson-McCoy, 19 Oisin Dowling, 20 Abraham Papali’i, 21 Caolin Blade, 22 Conor Fitzgerald, 23 Peter Sullivan
THE PREDICTION
Leicester Tigers put in an excellent performance, aided by the return of George Ford from international duty, to beat struggling Newcastle Falcons 26-12 last Sunday. Their third win in four league matches brought them up to seventh in the Premiership and in strong contention for a Champions Cup qualification tilt if they keep up their form. Connacht will make the trip across the Irish Sea with mixed feelings about their Pro14 season, though they have Champions Cup rugby to look forward to next season and this revamped knock-out format could suit them if they play to their best here. However, based on form alone, this looks like a high-scoring match that should see the hosts just edge to victory with Connacht arriving on a three-match losing streak and the Tigers particularly strong at home.