Rams had gone into Week Seven top-of-the-table with their hosts rock bottom before crashing to a late defeat, and while the two sides are again at opposite ends of the standings, Seb implored his side to avoid a similar fate.
He explained: “Leicester are a very good young side with a talented core, then some good loan players who come in and on any given day they can really turn it on.
“They play good rugby – in the first play at Sedgley last week they almost went the length of the field – so we know what to expect from the game and we need to be focussed.
“Every team in National One has elements which deserve huge respect, ultimately keeps them in games and then to win matches, and Leicester are no different.”
Four changes
Rams make four changes as Bath loanee Jasper Spandler comes in for a belated debut at hooker, tight-head prop Ryan Lomas alongside him in the front row, while Jake Murray is back at scrum-half and inside centre Joe Pannese gains a first start.
Commenting on Jasper – who grabbed a remarkable first-half haul of four tries for Bath United against England Under 20s last Friday night, the DoR said: “He’s been great. He was available for Sale a couple of weeks ago before the game got called off, but he went back to Bath, decided to score four tries in half-an-hour and that’s enabled him to get selected for us this weekend!
“It’s great to welcome him into the side off the back of a top performance, he’s a lovely lad and in the absence of Max (Hayman), Morgan (MacRae) getting a knock last weekend, he gets chance.
Seb continued: “This is also an exciting opportunity for Ryan. We love him to bits and what he brings to the side – him and Liam (Bishop) are in a battle to support and push James (Baker) at the moment, and as young props they’re learning so much every week.
“They’re always developing and over the years the likes of Niall Kidd, Paul Englezos, Ant Marris, they’ve all been through the scenario and I’m excited to see how Ryan goes this week.”
Pannese debut
Turning his attentions to Joe – the Loughborough University third year on placement in Berkshire who grabbed the first pre-season score of the campaign at Aberavon last August – Seb joked: “He scored a try, then went travelling and climbing Kilimanjaro!
“It probably stifled his development in the first couple of months because he had a very strong pre-season, but he’s been great and very patient.
“We’ve had some good conversations in recent weeks, and I’m pleased he gets the opportunity this weekend because he truly deserves it.”
The DoR finally praised the Under 14s’ initiative to organise a tour to the Midlands ahead of a game with Lions prior to the National One clash – more than 80 players and parents from the age group expected to back the side tomorrow.
And Seb concluded: “It’s wonderful and I can’t thank them enough for organising it to back the lads – I know the guys appreciate it and they’ve been talking about it earlier tonight. It’s great to have such support.”
