Leicester hoping to avoid sting in the tail

European Cup Final/Leicester v Wasps: Leicester coach Pat Howard has recalled centre Daryl Gibson for tomorrow's final at Twickenham…

European Cup Final/Leicester v Wasps:Leicester coach Pat Howard has recalled centre Daryl Gibson for tomorrow's final at Twickenham after the former All Black recovered from a knee injury.

Gibson, who missed last weekend's victory over Gloucester in the English Premiership final after picking up his injury in the semi-final, replaces Ollie Smith, who drops to the bench. Ireland's Frank Murphy remains in for injured scrumhalf Harry Ellis, while Ian Humphreys replaces the ineligible Ben Youngs on the bench as cover for the number nine. Seru Rabeni and Alesana Tuilagi - who ran riot against Gloucester - are again on the wings.

Wasps outhalf Alex King has won his battle to overcome a knee injury and will start against Leicester. King last played in the quarter-final victory over Leinster last March, but he returns to make his 50th European Cup appearance.

Wasps rugby director Ian McGeechan has gone with a centre partnership of Fraser Waters and Josh Lewsey - so Dominic Waldouck is on the bench, alongside Mark van Gisbergen, who misses out to Danny Cipriani for fullback duties.

READ MORE

In the pack, Phil Vickery switches to loosehead prop instead of an injured Tim Payne, while James Haskell again starts among the replacements as McGeechan opts for a back row of Joe Worsley, Tom Rees and captain Lawrence Dallaglio.

Leicester captain Martin Corry insists fatigue will not be a factor when the Tigers continue their punishing quest for a remarkable trophy treble tomorrow - having already secured the domestic cup and league titles.

"What has happened so far this season counts for nothing," said Corry. "All we want to do is put ourselves in these situations, and when we get to a final like the one on Sunday we've got to make sure we perform. What happened last Saturday will have very little bearing this weekend.

"The squad is not tired, and we are really looking forward to finishing the season on a high. We will start looking at what we've achieved at the end of the game. The great thing is there's a lot of history between us and Wasps, certainly during the professional era. We are probably the two sides who have been the most successful in that period, and it is all set for a tremendous battle."

Wasps have won their last five Twickenham finals - three English Premiership, one European Cup and one Anglo-Welsh - but Leicester look unstoppable at present.