text: How Leicester Tigers will cope without key back-row trio: 'Squad is tested' - Leicestershire Live
  How Leicester Tigers will cope without key back-row trio: 'Squad is tested'
  Jasper Wiese and Hanro Liebenberg's red cards followed George Martin's England call-up
  Jasper Wiese, Hanro Liebenberg and George Martin
  Steve Borthwick conceded Leicester Tigers' squad will be 'tested' in the absence of three prominent back row options.
  George Martin's call-up to the England squad for the Guinness Six Nations was compounded by both Jasper Wiese and Hanro Liebenberg being red carded against Wasps on Saturday.
  Due to England's Covid-19 bubble rules, 19-year-old Martin will not be released back to his club for the duration of the tournament - whether he is selected in a matchday squad or not - unless it is a permanent switch for another incoming player.
  Having already missed the 27-8 win over Wasps, Martin will also be unavailable for Tigers' games against Bristol Bears, London Irish, Gloucester and Exeter Chiefs.
  Liebenberg and Wiese are both due to attend their online disciplinary on Wednesday evening charged with tackling the jumper and dangerous play in a ruck or maul, respectively.
  They will almost certainly be ruled out of Saturday's round 11 trip to Ashton Gate and more games beyond that. Borthwick listed the options he has at his disposal for the match against the league leaders.
  "At openside flanker we've got Tommy Reffell, Luke Wallace, Thom Smith at seven or eight. Cyle Brink can play across the back row," he said. "We've got a young back row forward called Ollie Chessum who is back row/six or second row and Harry Wells has played six for us for several games. There's plenty of options for us to be working with."
  Liebenberg has started eight of Tigers 10 Premiership games so far this season and has won nine more lineouts than any other player in the league this term with 55.
  Leicester Tigers appearances
  109 - Harry Wells
  35 - Tommy Reffell
  10 - Luke Wallace, Thom Smith
  9 - Cyle Brink
  4 - Ollie Chessum
  His fellow countryman Wiese has started seven games at number eight scoring three tries in his last two games and making 451 metres (the most from a forward in the Premiership) from 105 carries. The 30 defenders he has beaten is only matched by Exeter Chiefs back Tom O'Flaherty.
  Borthwick conceded Tigers would not be able to replace them on a like-for-like basis.
  "Players are going to have different strengths aren't they?" he said. "There's not too many players like Jasper Wiese and not too many players like Hanro Liebenberg, so therefore you've got to have players who offer different elements to their game, different points of difference.
  "We know we're tested. With George Martin away with England as well. We are delighted he's in that squad. We've got a few in a similar position. The squad is tested. I'll find out about the players and I'll find out about what we are about."