Lote Tuqiri in Leicester Tigers' starting line-up against Dragons

Former Australia winger Lote Tuqiri will make his first start for Leicester Tigers today after "shaping up well" in training.

The 30-year-old, who signed a short-term contract at the start of this month, is included in a team showing 12 changes for the LV= Cup clash at home to Newport Gwent Dragons.

Tuqiri made a short appearance as a replacement against South Africa a week yesterday and head coach Richard Cockerill wants to get him up to speed as quickly as possible.

He said: "He played 25 minutes last weekend and has trained all week. John Murphy is with Ireland A, and we have to get Lote integrated as soon as we can.

"He is shaping up well. He's a quality player and his attitude has been first class. We want to give him the opportunity to play and get some match fitness."

Only three players – captain Ben Kay, winger Will Hurrell and prop Dan Cole – keep their places following the defeat in the opening game by Leeds as Leicester bid to get their campaign back on track and maintain a 20 game unbeaten home record in all competitions.

England fly-half Toby Flood, Matt Smith and Craig Newby all make their comebacks from injury, the latter forming a back row with Ben Pienaar and Jordan Crane, available after being dropped by England.

Fly-half Jeremy Staunton and centre Anthony Allen also return to add some experience to a side missing seven players on international duty and six others through injury.

Cockerill said: "With Toby, Newbs and Matt Smith, we're starting to get a few back from injury now, which means we have more options available.

"Jeremy Staunton and Anthony Allen were left out last week because they've played a lot of rugby and we want to have all the guys fresh because it is a long season."

Tigers have never lost a home game in the five-year history of the Anglo Welsh Cup, and no Welsh team has won at Welford Road since Swansea in 1998.

Newport hare recalled full-back Jason Tovey and winger Wayne Evans, while Steve Jones returns from a knee injury to take up a position on the bench

Coach Paul Turner has warned his side, who opened with a win at home to Sale, to cut down on their errors.

Turner wasn't happy with the error count, saying: "For some players it was a kick up the backside. We made 26 errors, and if we do that against a quality side like Leicester we'll get blown away.

"There is never an easy game at Welford Road, the crowd there demand success.

"I've spoken to Richard Cockerill and he says that at their redeveloped closed-in ground the atmosphere can be electric."

Tigers: Hamilton; Tuqiri, Forsyth, Allen, Hurrell; Staunton, B Youngs; Stankovich, Chuter, Cole, Parling, Kay (capt), Newby, Pienaar, Crane. Reps: Davies, R Harris, J Harris, Green, Hemingway, Grindal, Flood, Smith.

Dragons: Tovey; Harries, R Davies, Riley, Brew; Connor (capt), Evans; Gustafson, Goodfield, Bracken, Sidoli, A Jones, Macdonald, Thomas, Webb. Reps: Jones, Palmer, Watchurst, Faletau, Harris, Walker, Greendale, Thomas.

Tigers' Guinness Premiership match at home to Wasps on January 9 will now kick off at 5.30 because it is being shown live on Sky Sports.