Quins v Toulouse: Teams
Top spot in Pool Six is at stake on Friday when Harlequins tackle four-times Heineken Cup champions Toulouse at the Stoop.
Last Updated: 09/12/11 12:24pm
Harlequins put their unbeaten record this season on the line against four-times Heineken Cup champions Toulouse at the Stoop on Friday.
The Aviva Premiership leaders head back into European mode off the back of two domestic victories that stretched their winning streak to 14 matches.
But something has to give when the French giants visit London as both teams have won their opening two fixtures in Pool Six, one victory each over both Gloucester and Connacht.
The last time these teams met in the Heineken Cup was back in the 2009/10 season. Guy Noves' men completed the double of Quins in that season, winning 23-19 at the Stoop and 33-21 at Stade Ernest Wallon.
Changes
Harlequins' line-up sees a number of players return after missed the victory over London Wasps last weekend.
George Robson bolsters to the front five alongside Tomas Vallejos, with the hooker rotation between Chris Brooker and Joe Gray continuing. Brooker will take over in the starting XV in between Joe Marler and James Johnston.
Nick Easter is back at number eight, allowing captain Chris Robshaw to return to the flank, partnered with Maurie Fa'asavalu.
The backline shows one change with Benjamin Urdapilleta taking over at inside centre from Tom Casson who picked up an ankle injury in training.
Toulouse's starting line-up features no less than 13 internationals, only Fijian wing Timoci Matanavou - who has scored six tries this season - and lock Yoann Maestri do not have Test caps.
Former Bulls hooker Gary Botha starts ahead of William Servat, who is on the bench, and former All Black Luke McAlister leads the attack alongside former Wallaby Luke Burgess for the Top 14 pacesetters.
Benchmark
Quins director of rugby Conor O'Shea is full of respect for Toulouse.
"They set the benchmark for European rugby," he said.
"It is why we want to be in the Heineken Cup to play against teams like Toulouse.
"We always talk about testing ourselves to see where we stand, and we are playing against the best side in Europe."
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Seb Stegmann, 13 Matt Hopper, 12 Benjamin Urdapilleta, 11 Sam Smith, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Chris Robshaw, 6 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 5 George Robson, 4 Tomas Vallejos, 3 James Johnston, 2 Chris Brooker, 1 Joe Marler
Replacements: 16 Joe Gray, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Charlie Matthews, 20 Luke Wallace, 21 Richard Bolt, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Ugo Monye
Toulouse: 15 Maxime Medard, 14 Vincent Clerc, 13 Florian Fritz, 12 Yannick Jauzion, 11 Timoci Matanavou, 10 Luke McAlister, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Thierry Dusautoir, 6 Yannick Nyanga, 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Grégory Lamboley, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Jean-Baptiste Poux.
Replacements: 16 William Servat, 17 Yohan Montes, 18 Johnson Falefa, 19 Romain Millo-Chluski, 20 Jean-Marc Doussain, 21 Yves Donguy, 22 Yann David , 23 Shaun Sowerby
