Quins v Saints: Teams
Northampton Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder has rung the changes for his side's Aviva Premiership clash with Harlequins on Friday.
Last Updated: 08/09/11 4:09pm
Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder has rung the changes for Northampton's Aviva Premiership clash with Harlequins on Friday.
The Saints secured a last-gasp victory over Gloucester in their opening game of the season last weekend and Mallinder has juggled his line-up in anticipation of another tough match.
Tom May moves from outside centre to the wing in place of Paul Diggin, with Jon Clarke coming into the midfield.
In the second row, Mark Sorenson drops down to the bench with Christian Day elevated into a starting berth. The front row sees two changes, with hooker Mike Haywood and prop Paul Doran Jones replaced by Andy Long and Alex Waller.
"It's going to be a tough challenge," Mallinder said. "Harlequins played well last week against London Irish.
"They're a good side who have been together all summer with few disruptions from the World Cup. They have also put us under pressure over the past couple of years and of course came here and won in a tight game last season.
"So we know what they can offer, and they have some key players who can win the game for them."
Changes
Quins will be without Tom Guest for the game, with the number eight suffering a horrific double break of his arm last weekend. Chris York replaces Guest, joining Will Skinner and skipper Chris Robshaw in the back row.
The only other change comes at prop, where Tim Fairbrother makes his first start having made his debut off the bench last time out. The Australian takes the place of try scorer James Johnston who drops in to the replacements.
Director of rugby Conor O'Shea wants the club's vociferous support to help his side get off to a winning start in their first home outing of the campaign.
He said: "One of the many positive aspects from last season was just how vociferous our support was at The Stoop, and there is no doubt, as we look to challenge at the top end of the table in all competitions, that support will become an integral part of our success.
"The more difficult The Stoop becomes to visit for opposing teams the better, but we know as a group it is up to us to play the type of rugby with and without the ball that makes people really get behind us."
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Ross Chisholm, 13 George Lowe, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Karl Dickson, 8 Chris York, 7 Will Skinner, 6 Chris Robshaw (capt), 5 George Robson, 4 Ollie Kohn, 3 Tim Fairbrother, 2 Joe Gray, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Chris Brooker, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 James Johnston, 19 Charlie Matthews, 20 Luke Wallace, 21 Richard Bolt, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Sam Smith.
Northampton: 15 Greig Tonks, 14 Tom May, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Noah Cato, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Martin Roberts, 8 Phil Dowson (c), 7 Ben Nutley, 6 Calum Clark, 5 Christian Day, 4 Samu Manoa, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Andy Long, 1 Alex Waller.
Replacements: 16 Mike Haywood, 17 Paul Doran Jones, 18 Tom Mercey, 19 Mark Sorensen, 20 James Craig, 21 Stuart Commins, 22 Ryan Lamb, 23 Scott Armstrong.