Rugby Union: Dwyer happy Back is back to give Leicester control

The Leicester coach, Bob Dwyer, is relying on Neil Back to provide the control that was lacking in the midweek defeat at Richmond when Tigers take on Harlequins today.

Leicester enter their third match in eight days, in a run of six games in 22 days, with both hosts and visitors already anxious about grabbing a top-four place in the Allied Dunbar Premiership.

The England flanker missed last weekend's half-century win over Sale and the collapse at Richmond and Dwyer said: "Neil's return will give us control in loose play.

"Unfortunately we don't have Joel Stransky at stand-off, the other element that enables us to play the game on our own terms.

"I am looking for a display that emulates our big win over Sale, rather than the ball-conceding, penalty-giving performance at Richmond."

It is virtually certain that at least one of the big four - Bath, Leicester, Quins and Wasps - will finish out of the top four and will not qualify for Europe 1998 after being England's representatives in the first two seasons of the Heineken Cup.

Quins are fourth and Leicester fifth, but Bath are seventh and Wasps 10th as the newly-rich clubs - Saracens, Newcastle and Richmond claim the top three place.

Richmond, promoted along with Newcastle last season, hope to extend their run of 25 consecutive homes wins against Northampton tomorrow.