Handre Pollard, one of the most highly anticipated Premiership signings of the 2022-2023 season, will make his starting debut for Leicester on Friday night when the Tigers take on Sale.

Pollard has made just a solitary appearance for Leicester since coming on board at the start of the season, featuring off the bench in a 51-18 loss to Saracens in October. 

The experienced Springboks playmaker has been sidelined since his Premiership debut, with a knee injury first suffered during the Rugby Championship, flaring up in the defeat.

Friday night's fixture at Salford City Stadium will mark the final match of the calendar year for both sides.

Pollard's inclusion at No. 10 is the only change new coach Richard Wigglesworth has made to the match-day squad from last weekend's league win over Gloucester at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Pollard's inclusion sees Freddie Burns shift to the bench.

Second-rower Calum Green, who also is included among the replacements, is in line for his 100th appearance with the Leicester Tigers.

Pollard will line up opposite in-form Sale playmaker Rob du Preez, who has one international appearance for the Springboks to his name.

With Pollard sidelined and Elton Jantjies also unavailable, South Africa relied upon the inexperienced Damian Willemse in the No. 10 jersey throughout the latter stages of the Rugby Championship, as well as the team's northern tour, with youngster Mannie Libok also earning minutes at fly-half throughout November.

With 63 test caps, Pollard's return to action will be welcome news for both the Springboks and Tigers supporters.

Friday's clash between the second-placed Sharks and fourth-placed Tigers is due to kick off at 7:45 p.m.

Leicester Tigers

15 Freddie Steward
14 Anthony Watson
13 Guy Porter
12 Dan Kelly
11 Harry Potter
10 Handr‚ Pollard
9 Jack van Poortvliet (vc)
1 James Whitcombe
2 Charlie Clare
3 Dan Cole (vc)
4 Harry Wells
5 Ollie Chessum
6 Hanro Liebenberg (c)
7 Tommy Reffell
8 Olly Cracknell

Replacements

16 Gabriel Oghre
17 Nephi Leatigaga
18 Joe Heyes
19 Calum Green
20 Sean Jansen
21 Ben Youngs
22 Freddie Burns
23 Chris Ashton