Gomez starts as Leeds welcome Quins
Argentinean prop Juan Gomez is the only change to the Leeds Carnegie side for this Friday’s clash with Harlequins at Headingley Carnegie.
Gomez has missed the last three weeks whilst away with the Argentina Jaguars side on their European tour however he replaces Peter Bucknall in the front row. On the bench, former captain Mike MacDonald is set to make his first appearance of the season.
19-year-old Joe Ford will continue to play at flyhalf after making his Guinness Premiership debut last week in the defeat at Leicester with Ceiron Thomas ruled out by a sore Gluteal muscle.
Leeds are also without Hendre Fourie, who is recovering from an infection in his foot, Alfie To’oala (adductor injury), Danny Paul (shoulder) and Joe Bedford (leg). Henry Fa’afili will begin his three match ban having been sent off for Samoa against Italy last weekend whilst new signing Andy Titterrell will make his first appearance for Leeds Carnegie on Monday night at Northampton in the Guinness A League.
Last weekend saw Harlequins gain a well deserved bonus point against West coast rivals Gloucester, helped with the return of Danny Care, Ugo Monye and Nick Easter.
An exciting contest, which notched up 7 tries in all, finally saw Quins show some of their old form.
This week, the team will be bolstered by the return of Gonzalo Tiesi back on the bench after Nils Mordt and George Lowe’s partnership blossoms. Unfortunately, Ugo Monye has fallen ill and will not be able to take part in this weekend’s game.
Tom Williams will take his place.
The Teams:
Leeds: 15 Leigh Hinton, 14 Richard Welding, 13 Seru Rabeni, 12 Scott Barrow, 11 Lee Blackett, 10 Joe Ford, 9 Andy Gomarsall, 8 Rhys Oakley, 7 Calum Clark, 6 Kearnan Myall, 5 Marco Wentzel (captain), 4 Erik Lund, 3 Juan Gomez, 2 Vili Ma’asi, 1 Gareth Hardy.
Replacements: 16 Phil Nilsen, 17 Tommy McGee, 18 Mike MacDonald, 19 Tom Denton, 20 Jon Pendlebury, 21 Scott Mathie, 22 Jason Strange, 23 Jonny Hepworth.
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 David Strettle, 13 George Lowe, 12 Nils Mordt, 11 Tom Williams, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter (captain) 7 Chris Robshaw, 6 Tom Guest, 5 George Robson, 4 James Percival, 3 John Andress, 2 Tani Fuga, 1 Ceri Jones.
Replacements: 16 Chris Brooker, 17 Aston Croall, 18 Mark Lambert, 19 Lewis Stevenson, 20 Will Skinner, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Gonzalo Tiesi.
Date: Friday, December 4
Venue: Headingley Carnegie
Kick-off: 19.30 GMT
Referee: Andrew Small
Assistant referees: Ashley Rowden, Bruce Robertson
TMO: David Hudson
