Harlequins v Bath: Teams
Mike Brown will look to put four months of injury heartache behind him when he returns to the Harlequins line-up for the visit of Bath.
Last Updated: 04/10/09 6:26pm
Full-back Mike Brown will look to put four months of injury heartache behind him when he returns to the Harlequins line-up for the visit of Bath.
Brown was injured against Bath at the Rec last season, however he has been cleared fit to play - with Ugo Monye switching to the wing.
That means Gonzalo Camacho drops to the bench, while Gonzo Tiesi comes into the centres to partner Tosh Masson.
John Andress replaces the injured Mark Lambert in the front row, with hooker Gary Botha set to make his last appearance before he returns to South Africa.
Having been held to a draw last time out, Bath defence and skills coach Brad Davis is confident the club can bounce back.
And although Harlequins have struggled for form so far this season, Davis knows it is important for the visitors to set their stall out early at the Stoop.
"What we have to do is make sure we turn up with the right attitude and that we are intense about everything we do out on the field," said Davis.
"We make sure we are proper and correct in whatever we do, whether that is in defence, attack or set piece and we take the game to them because they are a quality side, albeit they have struggled so far this season, but they are a side that has as their coaches has publicly stated in the press.
"They are a side that are improving as well, and they are not too far away from a win themselves. So what we have to do is make sure it's later on in their season rather than this weekend."
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 David Strettle, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Tosh Masson, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Will Skinner (capt), 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 Jim Evans, 4 Lewis Stevenson, 3 John Andress, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Ceri Jones.
Replacements: 16 Aston Croall, 17 Tani Fuga, 18 James Johnston, 19 Shane O'Connor, 20 Tom Guest, 21 Gareth Williams, 22 Rory Clegg, 23. Gonzalo Camacho.
Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Joe Maddock, 13 Matt Carraro, 12 Shontayne Hape, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Nicky Little, 9 Michael Claassens (capt), 8 Ben Skirving, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Andy Beattie, 5 Stuart Hooper, 4 Peter Short, 3 Duncan Bell, 2 Pieter Dixon, 1 David Flatman.
Replacements: 16 Rob Hawkins, 17 David Barnes, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 Danny Grewcock, 20 Jonny Faamatuainu, 21 Scott Bemand, 22 Ryan Davis, 23 Jack Cuthbert.
