PARIS, 17 January 2004 — Two-times former winners Leicester will be looking for revenge against Ulster in a key European Cup Pool 1 game today on a day when skipper Martin Johnson is expected to announce his retirement.
The Tigers were stunned by a 33-0 loss in Belfast last weekend, a defeat which saw them slump to last place in the group and facing an uphill battle to reach the quarterfinals.
Leicester boss Dean Richards however insists that his side can put things right starting with a win today before a 16,800 sell-out crowd at their Welford Road stadium.
“It’s still open,” said a defiant Richards. “We’re in one of those pools where it’s difficult to predict the outcome.
“We’re going through a bit of a hiccup at the moment, but it can be put right.”
England skipper Johnson, struggling with a back injury, came off the bench against Ulster last weekend and reports have said that he has delayed his retirement announcement until after today’s game to avoid any disruption in training.
Ulster have named an unchanged side with coach Alan Solomons saying: “This weekend is a massive challenge for us, but this is why we’re involved in professional rugby. We live for matches like these.”
