England international hooker Chuter became the first player to reach 250 Premiership appearances in the win over Bath last Saturday which secured a home game in the semi-finals and reaches another personal landmark this weekend.

Ben Youngs, George Skivington and Graham Kitchener return to the Tigers squad after missing last Saturday’s Round 22 victory.

Tigers have reached the semi-final stages of the competition for an eighth successive year and face Saracens in a repeat of the last two Premiership Finals.

Tickets for Saturday’s game are available now from the Tigers ticket office. Call in at Welford Road or the Club Store in Market Street, Leicester, or phone the hotline on 0844 856 1880. Or book online at www.leicestertigers.com

Leicester Tigers

v Saracens, Aviva Premiership Rugby semi-final, Welford Road, Saturday 5.30pm

15 Geordan Murphy (c)
14 Horacio Agulla
13 Manusamoa Tuilagi
12 Anthony Allen
11 Alesana Tuilagi
10 Toby Flood
9 Ben Youngs
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 George Chuter
3 Dan Cole
4 George Skivington
5 Geoff Parling
6 Steve Mafi
7 Julian Salvi
8 Thomas Waldrom

Replacements
16 Tom Youngs
17 Logovi’i Mulipola
18 Martin Castrogiovanni
19 Graham Kitchener
20 Craig Newby
21 Sam Harrison
22 Billy Twelvetrees
23 Scott Hamilton

It is thought that Ben Youngs will be fit for next Saturday’s Aviva Premiership Rugby semi-final against Saracens.

Scrum-half Youngs missed the Tigers’ final home game of the regular season, a 28-3 win over Bath, with a hamstring injury.

But Leicester Tigers’ Director of Rugby Richard Cockerill thinks that Youngs and his Tigers and England team-mate Toby Flood will both be fit for the showdown with the team they have faced in the last two finals, winning the first and losing the second.

He said: "Ben could have played but we didn’t need to take that risk. Toby, I’m not sure of the extent of his injury, I think it’s an ankle. He could have carried on but there was no point in taking any risks."

Leicester stayed on course for an eighth successive Aviva Premiership Rugby final with a comfortable three-try win which clinched second place, while Saracens finished third after an even better win over Exeter.

The winners of the Leicester-Saracens showdown at Welford Road next Saturday will meet the winners of the other semi-final between Harlequins and Northampton in the final at Twickenham.

In this video Ben Youngs gives his thoughts on the Saracens team and the play offs in general.

Tickets only went on sale at full-time in Tigers’ 28-3 victory over Bath on Saturday which guaranteed second place in the Aviva Premiership Rugby table and a home semi-final.

Tigers face defending champions Saracens at Welford Road next Saturday (5.30pm) with a place in the final at stake. The two sides have met in the last two Premiership Finals at Twickenham, recording one win each.

The Tigers ticket office reported roaring trade immediately after Saturday’s game and also throughout Sunday. The office is open again 10am-4pm on Bank Holiday Monday.

Semi-finals are not included in Tigers season tickets but season ticket holders will have their seats/places reserved until 4pm on Monday (May 7). A special discounted price will apply until that time for season ticket holders too.

Tickets are on general sale to all supporters and there is no restriction on numbers you can purchase, subject to availability.

Under-10s season ticket holders must apply for their free ticket, which will only be available if accompanied by an adult season ticket holder and if requested before 4pm on Monday.

Members will be guaranteed a ticket if they would like one but must contact the ticket office by 4pm on Monday to confirm payment.

All other supporters can also buy now. There is no restriction on ticket numbers you can purchase, subject to availability.

Tigers ticket office opening hours:
Bank Holiday Monday: 10.00am-4.00pm
Tuesday: 8.30am-5.00pm
Wednesday: 8.30am-8.00pm
Thursday: 8.30am-5.00pm
Friday: 8.30am-5.00pm
Saturday: from 9.00am

Cal in at Welford Road or phone the Tigers ticket hotline on 0844 856 1880 (option 2).

Or purchase online at www.leicestertigers.com. Season ticket holders need to log-in with the reference number found on season ticket cards and will find their seat/place appear automatically in the shopping basket.

There is no booking fee for any online sales for the semi-final.

More than 400 supporters joined the Tigers coaching staff and players for Tuesday night’s awards dinner in the Premiership Suite in the Caterpillar Stand at Welford Road.

Agulla won the fans’ vote for the Player of the Year and Try of the Season for his dramatic late score against Northampton Saints at Welford Road.

The Argentina international wing, who has scored six tries in 23 appearances this season, said: “I would like to thank the supporters for voting for me. Leicester Tigers is a special club and it is an honour to be named player of the year.”

George Chuter, the Premiership’s record appearance-maker, took home an Omega watch courtesy of sponsors Goldsmiths, after winning the Outstanding Service award.

Chuter said: “This is a great place to be. It is full of history and you can see that every match day at Welford Road.

“The club, the coaches, the set-up and the fans are fantastic and it is all conducive to a really great rugby club. That makes people come here and stay here.”

Back rower Julian Salvi, who has scored five tries in 28 appearances, won the Best Newcomer award and said: “It means everything to be part of this rugby club and to receive the award.

“I am aware of the quality of the Tigers players who have worn the No 7 shirt in the past. It spurs you on and makes you want to strive to be better.”

Steve Mafi won the supporters’ vote for Young Player of the Year. It followed his Players’ Player of the Year award at an awards dinner at Welford Road last week attended by player sponsors and guests, and supported by Aurum Holdings and IWC.

Mafi, who received an IWC Big Pilot watch for being Players’ Player of the Year, said: “It was a surprise to win the two awards. Credit to the players, who have helped me a lot, and credit to (director of rugby) Richard Cockerill and (head coach) Matt O’Connor, who have really helped to strengthen my game.”

George Ford received a Tag Heuer watch after being voted Young Player of the Year by his Tigers team-mates, and said: "I’ve enjoyed this season, the lads have been great. I just want to try to make my way into the Leicester team and I’m doing everything I can to get into a position to do that."

Picture: Leicester Tigers Supporters’ Annual Awards winners Steve Mafi, Horacio Agulla and Julian Salvi

Sam Smith retains his place on the left wing after last weekend’s Man of the Match performance, with Mike Brown and Ugo Monye in the back three. Nick Evans returns at fly half outside Danny Care at scrum half. Jordan Turner Hall and George Lowe continue to partner in the centres.

The starting pack remains unchanged from last week’s victory over London  Wasps. Joe Marler, Rob Buchanan and James Johnston provide the front row.  Olly Kohn and George Robson remain in the second row. Maurie Fa’asavalu continues at blindside alongside captain Chris Robshaw and Nick Easter at number 8.

The replacements see Aston Croall, Mark Lambert, Will Collier covering in the front row. Tomas Vallejos and Tom Guest will looking to impact in the second and back row respectively. Karl Dickson and Rory Clegg cover at half back, while Ross Chisholm covers the remainder of the backline.

Harlequins team to face Leicester Tigers

15. Mike Brown

14. Ugo Monye

13. George Lowe

12. Jordan Turner-Hall

11. Sam Smith

10. Nick Evans

9. Danny Care

1. Joe Marler

2. Rob Buchanan

3. James Johnston

4. Olly Kohn

5. George Robson

6. Maurie Fa’asavalu

7. Chris Robshaw (C)

8. Nick Easter

16. Aston Croall

17. Mark Lambert

18. Will Collier

19. Tomas Vallejos

20. Tom Guest

21. Karl Dickson

22. Rory Clegg

23. Ross Chisholm

Combining over a century of experience in producing the highest quality playing apparel with the English club’s proud 132 year history, the 3-year partnership brings together two brands with great rugby heritage and tradition.

The new deal will see Canterbury providing playing jerseys, training apparel, BaseLayer garments and off field clothing to the Tigers, a stalwart of European club rugby, having won nine English Premiership trophies, seven Anglo-Welsh Cups and two Heineken Cups.

Canterbury will work closely with the Tigers to champion the club’s ethos, incorporating its innovative design elements into the new kit to maximise performance and aid recovery.

Chris Stephenson, CEO of Canterbury, said:

“Associations with leading rugby teams around the world have played a key role in promoting Canterbury’s heritage within the game over the years. By joining up with the Leicester Tigers, a club that has enjoyed a rich and successful history, Canterbury is demonstrating a continued desire to work with the very best teams in the world. We are delighted with this partnership and we hope the fans look forward to our involvement with this great club.”

Simon Cohen, Leicester Tigers CEO, added:

“We are excited to partner with Canterbury, given their unrivalled experience of providing teams with the strongest, most technologically advanced kits available. Their recognised prowess and heritage in rugby is perfectly aligned with the Tigers’ culture and determination to remain at the top of European club rugby.  We would also like to thank Cotton Traders for their commitment to the club over the years.”

Today is the first opportunity for fans to purchase the Leicester Tigers Home Jersey by Pre-Order, whilst not yet seeing the shirt.

Youngs missed the bonus-point win over Worcester Warriors in the team’s last outing as he served a one-week suspension and he is re-united with international colleague Toby Flood at half-back.

Horacio Agulla, George Skivington and Geoff Parling are included in the team after missing the Worcester fixture.

Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: “Tigers versus Saints is always a big match, no matter what is at stake. Both teams are chasing a place in the semi-finals and this promises to be another big occasion.

“These are two good set-piece teams, with two good sets of backs, and these games have been great contests.”

Leicester Tigers (v Northampton Saints, Aviva Premiership Rugby, away, Saturday 2.15pm)

15 Geordan Murphy (c)

14 Horacio Agulla

13 Manusamoa Tuilagi

12 Anthony Allen

11 Alesana Tuilagi

10 Toby Flood

9 Ben Youngs

1 Marcos Ayerza

2 George Chuter

3 Dan Cole

4 George Skivington

5 Geoff Parling

6 Tom Croft

7 Julian Salvi

8 Thomas Waldrom

Replacements

16 Tom Youngs

17 Martin Castrogiovanni

18 Logovi’i Mulipola

19 Steve Mafi

20 Craig Newby

21 Sam Harrison

22 Billy Twelvetrees

23 Scott Hamilton

This is a great show of loyalty for the best-supported rugby club in the country, especially as the current season still has two months to run.

Supporters who bought season tickets by January 1 were able to spread the cost over 12 months with Tigers’ new interest-free direct debit scheme and all prices were held at the 2011/12 rates until March 4.

By Sunday, Tigers had topped the 10,000 sales figure, including 725 supporters who have not previously held season tickets.

Leicester Tigers chairman Peter Tom CBE said: “This figure is an indication of the amazing loyalty and passion for the club from our supporters.

“We appreciate that this has been a challenging season on the field and that these are difficult economic times, but to have 10,000 supporters already committed to next season is a tremendous boost to everyone at the club.

“The players and the management team always appreciate the size and volume of support for the team, which has been built over many, many years.

“Commercially, the club works extremely hard to generate the incomes required to support the playing side in terms of recruitment, training and medical services, as well as continuing to invest in the Academy structure to find the next generations of Leicester Tigers, and the income from season ticket sales is obviously a major part of that.

“We thank all of the supporters who have already booked their places for next season and also hope we can give them something to cheer in the remainder of the current season.”

A Tigers season ticket guarantees entry to all home games in the regular season in the Aviva Premiership and two cup competitions, and this season includes the equivalent of five games free for every supporter compared with matchday prices.

Season tickets for 2012/13, and the direct debit plan to spread the payments, are still available. There are rates for Adults, Over-65s, Young Adults/Full-Time Students, Juniors (under 18) and Families.

Supporters aged under 10 years are able to claim a free Tigers season ticket when accompanied by a full-paying adult

Molenaar tore a pectoral muscle in preseason and has had to patiently work his way back to full fitness, appearing in a number of Aviva Premiership A League and LV= Cup games.

He comes in to partner Mike Tindall in the Gloucester midfield with Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu (knee) and Henry Trinder (jaw) both sidelined.

Other changes to the starting line up that defeated Harlequins at Kingsholm last weekend see Tom Voyce and Dave Lewis replace James Simpson-Daniel and Rory Lawson respectively.

Meanwhile, in the pack, the front five are retained but there is a slight rejig in the back row with Deacon starting at number eight and Matt Cox shifting across to the open side in place of Akapusi Qera who is named amongst the replacements.

Gloucester Rugby:

Jonny May; Charlie Sharples, Mike Tindall (capt), Tim Molenaar, Tom Voyce; Freddie Burns, Dave Lewis; Nick Wood, Darren Dawidiuk, Rupert Harden; Will James, Alex Brown; Tom Savage, Matt Cox, Brett Deacon

Replacements:

Scott Lawson, Dan Murphy, Shaun Knight, Jim Hamilton, Akapusi Qera, Nick Runciman, Ryan Mills, Ollie Phillips