Case for Holmes try as Leicester begin their cup defence

Leicester v Gloucester
BT Sport 2, 3pm Saturday
Barbarians v New Zealand
Sky Sports Action, 3pm Saturday

Leicester begin the defence of their Anglo-Welsh Cup at home to Gloucester and while the Tigers who run out at Welford Road represent a club who have won five of their last six matches in all competitions, a handicap in the region of six points looks about right.

A Leicester front five containing tried-and-trusted campaigners Kyle Trainor, Pat Cilliers, George McGuigan and Dan Tuohy should gain plenty of set-piece ball and Will Evans, Sam Lewis and Fred Tuilagi are a back-row combination who could stretch British & Irish Lions tourist Ross Moriarty on his return to the Cherry & Whites' pack.

Both teams also mix youth and experience in their backlines and while Adam Thompstone is a proven performer, a wager on fellow Leicester wing Jonah Holmes crossing the whitewash at 6-4 appeals. Fifteen tries in 22 RFU Championship outings for Leeds Carnegie last season earned him the summer switch to the East Midlands.

The northern hemisphere international season kicks off with the Barbarians against New Zealand at Twickenham but it is a purely southern hemisphere affair with no home nations player selected by the invitational team's head coach Robbie Deans.

All Blacks boss Steve Hansen is also experimenting with his partnerships so it is safe to assume that the accent of play will be on vibrant attacking rather than defensive structures.

Take brothers Julian and Ardie Savea to get on the scoresheet at 7-2. Bulldozing wing Julian, who has 46 Test tries, lines up for the Baa-Baas while dynamic Ardie, four international touchdowns, is in the back-row for the ABs.

Toulon give up seven points to hosts Agen in the televised Top 14 clash (Sky Sports Arena, 7.45pm Saturday).

Recommendations
J Holmes to score a try in Leicester v Gloucester
1pt 6-4 bet365
J Savea & A Savea both to score in Barbarians v NZ
1pt 7-2 Sky Bet

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