Trouble for Tigers

Leicester will be without first-choice props Graham Rowntree and Julian White for their Heineken Cup clash with Clermont Auvergne on Saturday.

Rowntree is out for up to six months with a neck injury and White is banned for eight weeks.

White was suspended yesterday by the Rugby Football Union after being sent off for fighting with Newcastle lock Andy Perry in the 16-16 Guinness Premiership draw at Welford Road on Friday.

The Tigers are also without Louis Deacon because of an ankle injury which could have ended his hopes of an England cap in the autumn Test matches.

Loosehead prop Rowntree, who made his 200th league start against Newcastle, suffered a neck injury in the 29th minute of that match and could be out of action for six weeks to six months.

Second row Deacon, who made his 100th Tigers start on Friday, will be out for two to four weeks with the ankle injury, having limped off in the 35th minute of the Falcons match.