Harlequins v Stade Francais: Challenge Cup preview
By Tony Tighe
Last Updated: 13/10/16 7:04pm
![Joe Marler starts for Quins against Stade Francais](https://e0.365dm.com/16/10/768x432/skysports-rugby-joe-marler-harlequins_3806980.jpg?20161012123340)
Joe Marler returns to the Harlequins front row for Thursday's Challenge Cup opener against Stade Francais, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm.
The England prop has overcome the back spasm that saw him miss last Saturday's win over Northampton and is one of three changes to the starting line-up.
Marler is joined in the front row by Will Collier after Mark Lambert and Kyle Sinckler were both ruled out with concussion.
Nick Evans suffered a calf injury against Saints so Tim Swiel, who came off the bench to kick four penalties, starts at fly-half with Ruaridh Jackson named on the bench.
![Sergio Parisse returns to the Stade starting line-up](https://e2.365dm.com/16/10/768x432/skysports-rugby-sergio-parisse-stade-francais_3806984.jpg?20161012123705)
Stade Francais make nine changes to the team that lost the Paris derby against Racing 92 last weekend as they welcome Italy captain Sergio Parisse back from suspension.
Jules Plisson and Clement Daguin form a new-look half-back partnership while international pair Djibril Camara and Waisea Nayacalevu slot in at full-back and wing respectively.
Stade have lost their last two Challenge Cup matches against Harlequins, including a 29-6 quarter-final defeat in 2014, while Quins are seeking an 11th successive home win in the competition.
"Stade are a team we know very well," said Quins director of rugby John Kingston. "Our previous meetings have made for some mouth-watering battles and Thursday's match will be another great occasion under the lights at The Stoop."
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Marland Yarde, 13 Alofa Alofa, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Karl Dickson; 1 Joe Marler, 2 Rob Buchanan, 3 Will Collier, 4 George Merrick, 5 James Horwill (c), 6 Chris Robshaw, 7 Luke Wallace, 8 James Chisholm.
Replacements: 16 Joe Gray, 17 Owen Evans, 18 Adam Jones, 19 Sam Twomey, 20 Mat Luamanu, 21 Charlie Mulchrone, 22 Ruaridh Jackson, 23 Joe Marchant.
Stade Francais: 15 Djibril Camara, 14 Waisea Vuidarvuwalu, 13 Herman Meyer Bosman, 12 Paul Williams, 11 Jérémy Sinzelle, 10 Jules Plisson, 9 Clement Daguin; 1 Zak Taulafo, 2 Craig Burden, 3 Rabah Slimani, 4 Hugh Pyle, 5 Pascal Papé (c), 6 Sekou Macalou, 7 Raphael Lakafia, 8 Sergio Parisse.
Replacements: 16 Remi Bonfils, 17 Zurabi Zhvania, 18 Giorgi Melikidze, 19 Mathieu De Giovanni, 20 Willem Alberts, 21 Arthur Coville, 22 Faraj Fartass, 23 Théo Millet.
Watch Harlequins v Stade Francais live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm on Thursday. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract.