Leicester (from): Buckland, Chuter, Corry, Cullen, L Deacon, Holford, Jennings, Kay, Moody, Rowntree, Tuilagi, White, Ellis, Goode, Healey, Hipkiss, Lloyd, Murphy, Smith, Tuilagi, Varndell, Vesty.
HEALEY SET FOR CARDIFF START
Howard has delayed naming his starting 15 for the clash because he is waiting on news of some of his injured players. But he expects “most” of the club’s returning internationals to start with England captain Martin Corry leading the side.
Howard explained his decision to pick Healey at scrum half instead of Harry Ellis. “Austin has been a fantastic captain for us this year. Harry has been playing very well for club and country, but Austin has been in great form and I wanted to reward him in a competition he has been integral to. Harry missed a fair amount of rugby after the operation on his knee and Austin has been rotated, so let’s be fair.
“We are dealing with a few injuries, but most of the internationals will start.”
Howard also reports that his returning internationals can’t wait to hear the opening whistle at the Millennium Stadium. “We’ve tried to keep the training sessions light and interesting this week. We don’t want to run them ragged and want the players to be enthusiastic about playing for their club.
“There’s a very positive vibe around the club and it’s a big game against Wasps. It’ll be a big crowd at the Millennium Stadium and the boys are keen. They know that semi-finals are big games. We are at the business end of the season now and we know there’s pressure, but that’s great.
“We are in a good position, we just have to keep fighting and peak for the big games when there are no second chances if you lose.”
Tigers go into the game with just one win in their last four games and Howard admits his team have struggled in the absence of their internationals. He was unhappy with some of the officials’ decisions at Newcastle last week and said: “We have to fix our own performance. Our second tier hasn’t performed and they will get another chance next week.”
Wasps: Van Gisbergen; Lewsey, Waters, Abbott, Voyce; Staunton, Reddan; McKenzie, Ibanez, Payne; Shaw, Birkett; Worsley, O’ Connor, Dallaglio (capt).
Replacements: Barrett, J Dawson, Skivington, Haskell, M Dawson, Brooks, Erinle.
