Investec Champions Cup: Freddie Steward hits 100 as Iain Henderson returns for Ulster

Freddie Steward will make his 100th appearance for Leicester Tigers in Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup match with Ulster.

The England international will start at full-back as he marks a century of caps since coming through Tigers’ academy.

Ulster will be led by Iain Henderson, who will make a welcome return from injury at Welford Road.

The Irish province have lost both European matches heavily to Toulouse and Bordeaux in the middle of a run of five consecutive defeats, that was only ended by a win over Connacht in December.

Leicester lost their European opener to Bordeaux but picked up a big victory over South African side Sharks in their second match before Christmas.

Michael Cheika makes three changes from the Tigers’ win over Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.

Australian Jed Holloway will make his first start for the club at lock while centre Izaia Perese and back row Finn Carnduff will return from injury.

Ulster are boosted by the return of Henderon and full-back Ethan McIlroy but are missing injured Ireland internationals Jacob Stockdale, Stuart McCloskey and Rob Herring, and the suspended Tom O’Toole.

John Andrew has been named to start at hooker after Herring failed to recover from a calf injury, while Andrew Warwick comes into the front row in place of Eric O’Sullivan.

Leicester Tigers: Steward; Bassett; Perese, Kata; Hassell-Collins; Pollard, Van Poortvliet; Smith, Montoya (capt), Heyes; Henderson, Holloway; Carnduff, Reffell, Cracknell.

Replacements: Clare, Whitcombe, Cole, Wells, Ilione, Youngs, Shillcock, Woodward.

Ulster: McIlroy; Kok; Carson, Postlewaite; Ward; Morgan, Doak; Warwick, Andrew, Wilson; Henderson (capt), Izuchukwu; McNabney, Timoney, McCann.

Replacements: McCormick, O’Sullivan, Barrett, Treadwell, Sheridan, Cooney, Murphy, Telfer.