Mike Williams returns to the starting line-up as Leicester Tigers head south-west for the Aviva Premiership fixture against Exeter Chiefs on Christmas Eve.Back-rower Williams was used as a second-half replacement in the European win over Munster last Saturday and makes his first start since the trip to Sale Sharks in October after recovering from an arm injury. Dan Cole is also back in the Tigers matchday squad for the first time since starting all of England’s autumn series victories.George McGuigan starts at hooker, with Pat Cilliers continuing at tighthead after starting his first game for the club in the Champions Cup last weekend.Ed Slater is named as captain in the absence of Tom Youngs and starts in the second row alongside Mike Fitzgerald.Freddie Burns returns to the backline after being sidelined last week and starts at full-back, with Sam Harrison making his 50starting appearance for the club at scrum-half.15 Freddie Burns14 Adam Thompstone 13 Jack Roberts12 Manu Tuilagi11 Peter Betham10 Owen Williams9 Sam Harrison2 George McGuigan3 Pat Cilliers4 Ed Slater (c)5 Mike Fitzgerald6 Mike Williams7 Brendon O'Connor8 Luke Hamilton16 Harry Thacker17 Logovi’i Mulipola18 Dan Cole19 Graham Kitchener20 Will Evans21 Jono Kitto22 George Worth 23 Tom Brady15 Phil Dollman, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Ollie Devoto, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 Gareth Steenson (c), 9 Will Chudley; 1 Ben Moon, 2 Jack Yeandle, 3 Tomas Francis, 4 Mitch Lees, 5 Jonny Hill, 6 Dave Dennis, 7 Don Armand, 8 Thomas Waldrom16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Carl Rimmer, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Ollie Atkins, 20 Kai Horstmann, 21 Jack Maunder, 22 Sam Hill, 23 James Short