RUGBY UNION: Henson on bench against Leicester (From Oxford Mail)

RUGBY UNION: Henson on bench against Leicester

10:00am Saturday 9th February 2013 in Sport By Ed Mezzetti, Sports reporter specialising in Rugby, Cricket and Athletics. Call me on 01865 425456

Gavin Henson stays on the bench as London Welsh head coach Lyn Jones makes nine changes for today’s clash away to Leicester Tigers.

After a long spell out with injury, the former Welsh international came on as a replacement when Exiles rounded off their LV= Cup campaign with a 42-14 defeat to Newport Gwent Dragons on Sunday Gordon Ross retains his place at fly half ahead of Henson, but will have a new partner in Tyson Keats.

Tom Arscott comes in at full back and Phil MacKenzie moves from the left to the right wing to accommodate the returning Nick Scott.

In the forwards, Franck Montanella starts at loosehead, while Adam Balding, returning to his former club, Michael Hills and Ed Jackson make up an entirely new back row.

England star Tom Croft and Julian Salvi are named in the Tigers pack.

TODAY’S LINE-UPS

Leicester Tigers: Tait, Morris, Smith, Allen, Thompstone, Ford, Harrison, Ayerza, Hawkins, Mulipola, Deacon (capt), Kitchener, Croft, Salvi, Crane. Reps: Chuter, Stankovich, Balmain, Slater, Deacon, Micky Young, Bowden, Murphy.

London Welsh: Arscott, MacKenzie, Tiesi, Parker, Scott, Ross, Keats, Montanella, Briggs, Bateman, Mills (capt), Corker, Balding, Hills, Jackson. Reps: George, Bristow, Tideswell, Purdy, Williamson, Jewell, Henson, Lewis.