Stars return for Quins trip
Leicester Tigers will welcome back two of their 2009 British and Irish Lions tourists, Harry Ellis and Tom Croft, for this Saturday’s trip to the Stoop.
After playing in the summer series in South Africa, Croft and Ellis were ruled out of the opening league fixture of the season last week as part of the agreed rest period, but resume their roles in the Tigers team for the Twickenham Stoop fixture.
Head coach Richard Cockerill also makes changes in the backline after a knee injury to Dan Hipkiss. Matt Smith moves to centre and last season’s top try-scorer Johne Murphy comes in on the wing.
Prop Robbie Harris is included in the matchday squad for the first time since his summer signing, and Aaron Mauger makes a return to the 23 after a back injury.
“The Lions boys are quality players and to have them back in the squad is a great boost for everybody,” said head coach Richard Cockerill.
“We start the season with two tough away games and we know we have to improve our game after the defeat at Sale Sharks last Friday.”
Toby Flood, Sam Vesty, Dan Hipkiss, Alesana Tuilagi, Lewis Moody, Dan Cole and Boris Stankovich are unavailable due to injury.
After a disappointing first weekend Harlequins are desperate to bounce back to winning way this weekend. Playing for 77 minutes with just 14 men, Quins showed good resolve and determination against the London Wasps last week.
Things won’t get any easier this weekend though as they welcome the defending Champions to the Stoop.
Last time the two sides met was at The Big Game, held at the Twickenham Stadium, where (in front of a crowd of 50,000) a thrilling game saw Quins come back in the dying minutes to grab a draw.
Looking to get back to winning ways, Quins have made five changes to their starting lineup.
In the forwards, the absence of George Robson sees Jim Evans come into the second row, where he will partner Quins’ new signing Lewis Stevenson, who makes his Premiership debut for Quins and replaces the injured James Percival. Neil McMillan starts on the bench.
In the backs, the injured Gonzalo Camacho is replaced on the wing by Quins’ young star, George Lowe, and Tosh Masson takes the 23 man shirt.
Quins have not beaten the Tigers in their last dozen meetings in all competitions since a 26-23 victory at the Twickenham Stoop in the Wildcard semifinal first leg on 14 May 2003.
Harlequins have lost four of their last five games in all competitions, but the Londoners only home reversal in the Guinness Premiership in their last ten matches was last season’s Premiership semifinal, 0-17 to London Irish.
The Teams:
Harlequins: 15 Ugo Monye, 14 David Strettle, Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 George Lowe, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Will Skinner (captain), 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 Jim Evans, 4 Lewis Stevenson, 3 Mark Lambert, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Ceri Jones
Replacements: 16 Aston Croall, 17 Tani Fuga, 18 John Andress, 19 Tom Guest, 20 Neil McMillan, 21 Steve So’oialo, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Tosh Masson
Leicester Tigers: 15 Geordan Murphy (captain), 14 Scott Hamilton, 13 Matt Smith, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Johne Murphy, 10 Jeremy Staunton, 9 Harry Ellis, 8 Jordan Crane, 7 Ben Woods, 6 Tom Croft, 5 Louis Deacon, 4 Richard Blaze, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 George Chuter, 1 Marcos Ayerza
Replacements: 16 Mefin Davies, 17 Julian White, 18 Robbie Harris, 19 Craig Newby, 20 Brett Deacon, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Aaron Mauger, 23 Billy Twelvetrees
Date: Saturday 12 September
Venue: The Stoop, Twickenham
Time: 15:00 (14:00 GMT)
Referee: Dave Pearson (128th Premiership game)
