‘Battered’ White out of Tigers’ line-up

ENGLAND forward Julian White will sit out Leicester’s crunch Heineken Cup clash against Bourgoin tonight, with Tigers boss Pat Howard admitting: “He is battered”.

White was among a handful of players who started all four England games during their demoralising autumn Test programme – and he has not yet recovered.

While White’s international colleagues Martin Corry, Lewis Moody, Andy Goode and George Chuter all return to club duties, the tighthead prop is pencilled in for the Welford Road appointment with Bourgoin on Saturday week.

Marcos Ayerza and Martin Castrogiovanni pack down either side of Chuter in the front-row at Stade Pierre Rajon, a ground where Bourgoin’s previous European scalps include Munster, Leinster and Sale Sharks.

Howard said: “Julian is battered and has not recovered from the four internationals. I want to look after Julian and do the right thing.”

While mathematically at least, Leicester could still progress should they lose tonight, it would prove fiendishly difficult, especially if Pool Four leaders Munster beat Cardiff Blues on Sunday.

And they have still to visit Thomond Park in Limerick, where Munster have reeled off 30 successive European victories.

White apart, Leicester will travel without Henry Tuilagi (broken arm), Ollie Smith (knee), Paul Burke (fractured rib), Ian Humphreys (hamstring) and Gavin Hickie (fractured eye socket).