England flanker Lewis Moody leads Leicester against Premiership strugglers Leeds Carnegie tomorrow, which marks new Tigers coach Marcelo Loffreda's first league fixture since he took the Welford Road reins.

Loffreda said: "Lewis is an experienced player. He is very committed on the pitch, and he leads by example.

"With Ben Kay also in the team, I have a lot of confidence in their leadership on the field."

Leeds, whose solitary Premiership success so far came against Worcester in mid-October, will face Leicester on the back of impressive European Challenge Cup victories over Castres and Dax.

Rugby director Stuart Lancaster said: "All teams recognise how difficult it is to win games in France.

"And I was delighted with the application and professionalism shown by the players on and off the field (in Dax) which has given us great momentum going into the Leicester game.

"At the start of this season, the coaching staff and players talked about the challenge ahead and our desire to play in big games.

"Through their hard work, the players have got this opportunity at home to take on the current Premiership champions. It is a challenge that excites us all."

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