James O’Connor Starts at 10 for Leicester Tigers in Premiership Rugby
James O’Connor starts at fly-half for Leicester Tigers in premiership rugby Round 15, with Leicester hosting Northampton Saints at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday at 15:05 BST. Joe Cokanasiga also returns for Bath as the weekend’s team news moves into view across a slate that runs from Friday to Sunday.
Leicester Tigers Lineup
O’Connor is named at 10 for Leicester, with Freddie Steward at full-back and Adam Radwan on the wing. Ollie Chessum captains the side, while Northampton respond with George Furbank at full-back, Tommy Freeman on the wing, and Fin Smith at fly-half.
That selection gives Leicester a different shape in the key half-back role, and it sets up a direct test against a Saints side led by Furbank. The fixture is part of a Round 15 schedule that includes one match on Friday, three on Saturday, and the final game on Sunday.
Gloucester And Sale Sharks
The round opens at Kingsholm, where Gloucester host Sale Sharks on Friday at 19:45 BST. Sara Cox is the referee, Tomos Williams captains Gloucester, Ernst van Rhyn leads Sale, and George Barton starts at 15 for Gloucester.
That game feeds into the same weekend broadcast picture as Leicester against Northampton, which will also be shown on TNT Sports 1, HBO Max, TNT Sports Ultimate, ITV4, and ITVX. Gloucester against Sale Sharks is listed on TNT Sports 1, HBO Max, and TNT Sports Ultimate.
Saturday's Other Fixture
Another captaincy note lands at Ashton Gate, where Bristol Bears meet Saracens on Saturday at 17:30 BST. Fitz Harding leads Bristol and Maro Itoje captains Saracens, giving the round another fixture with established leadership on both sides.
For viewers, the useful part is simple: Leicester against Northampton is the most visible of the listed matches because it spans five viewing options, while Gloucester against Sale Sharks has three. For Leicester, the lineup change at 10 is the headline selection, and the Saints counter with Fin Smith at fly-half in a fixture that should show whether O’Connor’s first start in that role holds up under pressure.
