International forwards Tom Croft, Tomas Leonardi and Pat Cilliers are included in the Leicester Tigers squad for Friday's opening game in the Anglo-Welsh Cup campaign away to Bath Rugby.Back-rower Croft has recovered from a back injury to claim a place in the matchday 23 for the first time this season, while Argentina international Leonardi makes his Tigers debut at No8 and South African prop Cilliers is among the replacements after recovering from a groin injury.Matt Smith captains Tigers at The Recreation Ground, George Catchpole is given a starting place after scoring his first try for the club in the league game at Saracens last weekend, and Freddie Burns starts at fly-half. Greg Bateman , who has already played at hooker and tighthead prop this season, starts at loosehead, while there is a first start of the season for flanker Will Evans and a first appearance for prop Fraser Balmain.Fred Tuilagi, son of former Tigers wing Freddie, is included in a Tigers senior squad for the first time after gaining experience at Premiership ‘A’ League level and is in line to become the eighth member of the family to wear Leicester colours in a senior game.Friday’s game is scheduled for live broadcast by BT Sport or keep in touch with the Tigers website or social media channels.15 George Worth 14 Tom Brady13 Matt Smith (c)12 Jack Roberts11 George Catchpole10 Freddie Burns9 Jono Kitto1 Greg Bateman2 Harry Thacker3 Fraser Balmain5 Joe Maksymiw6 Luke Hamilton7 Will Evans8 Tomas Leonardi16 George McGuigan17 Riccardo Brugnara18 Pat Cilliers19 Tom Croft20 Fred Tuilagi21 Sam Harrison22 Oli Bryant23 Charlie Thacker15 Darren Atkins, 14 Jeff Williams, 13 Aled Brew, 12 Dan Bowden, 11 Jack Wilson, 10 Adam Hastings, 9 Will Homer; 1 Beno Obano, 2 Michael van Vuuren, 3 Shaun Knight, 4 Elliott Stooke, 5 Alex Humfrey, 6 Levi Douglas, 7 Guy Mercer (c), 8 Zach Mercer.16 Gabriel Oghre, 17 Max Lahiff, 18 Kane Palma-Newport, 19 Tom Ellis, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 Darren Allinson, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Rory Jennings