Preview: Harlequins v Leicester
September 11 2009
Harlequins have made five changes to the squad that lost to Wasps as they look to get back on the horse against Leicester on Saturday.
Their opening day defeat in the Double-Header was tinged by the fact they were forced to play most of the fixture with fourteen men after second-row George Robson was sent-off for head-butting.
But for their home clash in Round Two of the Guinness Premiership, Interim Coach John Kingston has brought in Jim Evans at lock, where he will partner 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.
Meanwhile, Leicester have been boosted by the return of British & Irish Lions duo Tom Croft and Harry Ellis for Saturday's Guinness Premiership trip to Harlequins.
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. Toby Flood, Sam Vesty, Dan Hipkiss, Alesana Tuilagi, Lewis Moody, Dan Cole and Boris Stankovich are unavailable due to injury.
"The Lions boys are quality players and to have them back in the squad is a great boost for everybody," said 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."
Form: 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 semi-final, 0-17 to London Irish. Leicester Tigers lost 12-15 at Sale Sharks last Friday and in 24 seasons of league rugby have never begun a season with successive defeats. The Tigers have been defeated in two of their last three away matches. 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 semi-final first leg on 14 May 2003.
The teams:
Harlequins: 15 Ugo Monye, 14 David Strettle, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 George Lowe, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Will Skinner (capt), 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: 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, September 11
Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Venue: Twickenham Stoop
Referee: Dave Pearson