Preview: Harlequins v Cardiff Blues
January 22 2010
Jordan Turner-Hall returns to the Harlequins starting line-up to face Cardiff Blues in the Heineken Cup at the Stoop on Sunday.
After injuring his shoulder in only Quins' second home game of the season, the centre has been out of action for four months but returns to partner Gonzalo Tiesi, for Quins' final Heineken Cup game of this season. Nils Mordt moves to the bench.
With the absence of Tani Fuga from the front row, Chris Brooker takes up the starting hooker position, where he combines with Ceri Jones and John Andress.
England U20 player Joe Marler, will make only his second first-team appearance in the 23 man team, when he starts on the bench.
Lewis Stevenson replaces the injured George Robson in the second row and Chris Robshaw returns to the number six shirt. Tom Guest starts on the bench.
In the backs,Nick Evans switches from his traditional position at fly-half to full-back, where he covers for the absent Mike Brown while Rory Clegg starts at ten. George Lowe replaces Tom Williams on the bench.
Meanwhile, Cardiff Blues have made two late changes.
Gareth Thomas comes into the starting XV on the wing, in place of Leigh Halfpenny, who is suffering with a slight thigh strain.
On the bench Dai Flanagan comes in, in place of Sam Norton Knight.
The Blues are out of Heineken Cup quarter final contention and need a bonus-point win to stay in line for a place in the Challenge Cup
The teams:
Harlequins:15 Nick Evans, 14 David Strettle, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Rory Clegg, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Will Skinner, 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 Lewis Stevenson, 4 James Percival, 3 John Andress, 2 Chris Brooker, 1 Ceri Jones.
Replacements:16 Aston Croall, 17 Joe Marler, 18 James Johnston, 19 Tom Guest, 20 Neil McMillan, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Nils Mordt, 23 George Lowe.
Cardiff Blues15 Ben Blair, 14 Gareth Thomas, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Tom James, 10 Ceri Sweeney, 9 Richie Rees, 8 Xavier Rush, 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Andy Powell, 5 Deiniol Jones, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Faao Filise, 2 Gareth Williams, 1 Gethin Jenkins (c).
Replacements:16 T Rhys Thomas, 17 Sam Hobbs, 18 Gary Powell, 19 Paul Tito, 20 Ben White, 21 Gareth Cooper, 22 Dai Flanagan, 23 Tom Shanklin.
Date: Sunday, January 24
Venue: Twickenham Stoop
Kick-off: 15.00 GMT
Referee: George Clancy