Richards prepares for Cup showdown

Leicester director of rugby Dean Richards has made three changes, one positional, to his side as they prepare for Friday’s Heineken Cup showdown with Stade Francais.

The groin injury picked up by Sam Vesty midway through last Saturday’s win at Gwent Dragons sees Steve Booth switch from right wing to fullback.

Fit-again Ollie Smith, in the week he was named in the England training squad, fills the vacated wing slot after recovering from the concussion picked up against Ulster in Belfast three weeks ago.

Another player to return from injury is England lock Ben Kay, who takes the place of Louis Deacon after missing the 26-20 victory in Newport with a knee injury.

A number of players have shaken off knocks to resume their place in the side, including the Tuilagi brothers, Henry and Freddie, who have not trained during the week in a bid to make kick-off.

Richards also revealed there is an outside chance utility back Austin Healey could be fit in time for the match, after leaving the field two weeks ago against Ulster with a leg injury.

The director of rugby is determined the Tigers do not take their favourites tag too seriously, despite their recent turnaround in form.

“People are making us favourites because of our last two wins, but they must remember that Stade Francais have a star-studded side and, in Nick Mallet, one of the best coaches in world rugby,” he said.

“They contributed a large number of players to the World Cup, and that is a measure of how good they are. It should be a great game, and they are at virtually full strength.”

While various permutations come into play in deciding seedings in the last eight of the Heineken Cup, the simple fact is that the winner of Friday’s game goes through to the quarter finals and the loser does not.

With this in mind, Richards insisted: “It’s the biggest game of the season and is very much like a cup final for us. We have to win it.”