Fellow international forwards Lewis Moody, Marcos Ayerza and Craig Newby return to the starting line-up as head coach Richard Cockerill makes a number of changes following victory over Guinness Premiership leaders Saracens a week ago.
Anthony Allen is ruled out by an ankle injury and former Wasps fly-half Jeremy Staunton returns to the Tigers backline.
"I was very pleased with the way we played at Saracens," said Cockerill.
"The result was very important, but the way we played was impressive too. We controlled the ball, we stood up to a very good pack and our accuracy was much better.
"Wasps are a good side and they've got a good record against us. They are also the team just behind us in the table so it is very important for us to keep our run going.
"Lewis Moody has had his rest and he is desperate to get out there playing for us again, and having Crofty back in the squad is also important."
As well as Allen, Tigers are without Martin Castrogiovanni, Aaron Mauger, Geordan Murphy and Julian White due to injury.
Around 23,000 tickets have been sold in advance for the game, with remaining tickets available now from the Tigers ticket office. Phone the hotline on 0844 856 1880, book online at www.leicestertigers.com or call in at Welford Road.
Kick-off has been brought forward to 3.15pm to allow the game to be played in the best possible conditions and the Welford Road pitch has been protected from the worst of the weather, with warm-air blowers used beneath a protective canopy.
Leicester Tigers v London Wasps (Welford Road, 3.15pm Saturday)
15 Scott Hamilton
14 Johne Murphy
13 Dan Hipkiss
12 Jeremy Staunton
11 Lote Tuqiri
10 Toby Flood
9 Ben Youngs
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 Mefin Davies
3 Dan Cole
4 Louis Deacon (c)
5 Geoff Parling
6 Craig Newby
7 Lewis Moody
8 Jordan Crane
Replacements
16 George Chuter
17 Boris Stankovich
18 Robbie Harris
19 Tom Croft
20 Brett Deacon
21 James Grindal
22 Sam Vesty
23 Alesana Tuilagi
