Harlequins v Ulster: Teams

At The Stoop, Saturday October 18, kick-off 3pm

England No.8 Nick Easter returns to the Harlequins starting XV for Saturday's Heineken Cup visit of Ulster, as the two sides clash at The Stoop.

Easter made a huge impact as a second-half replacement in the victory over the Scarlets and replaces Tom Guest, who drops to the bench.

With Gonzalo Tiesi ruled out with injury Dean Richards has been forced into changes in the backs. Ugo Monye moves from wing to outside centre, meaning Tom Williams comes into the starting side.

And having seen his side bounce back from 16 points down to beat the Scarlets, Richards is looking for his side to display the same steely edge.

He said: "The players showed great belief in one another to come back from being 19-3 down at half-time.

"It was our first victory in this prestigious competition since the 2001/02 season, and we intend to continue this good run of form.

"The team is maturing week by week and playing a more ambitious style of rugby.

"Last weekend, we showed we were not prepared to lie down and die when faced with stiff opposition."

Performance

Ulster coach Matt Williams has recalled Italian international Carlo del Fava, David Pollock and Timoci Nagusa to his side to face Harlequins.

Ed O'Donoghue and Keiron Dawson both make way, while Clinton Schifcofske is rule out with a knee injury.

And Williams is looking for his side to build on their performance against Stade Francais, despite the Magners League side eventally going down 26-10 to the Parisians.

He said: "If we play with the same intensity and effort we achieved last Saturday, then the game will be very interesting. The boys are ready to have a good crack at Quins.

"We have nothing to lose and everything to gain, which is a good position to be in.

"Our physical commitment against Stade was great, but I would like to see the intensity of our overall game move up a notch or two against Quins."

Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Tom Williams, 13 Ugo Monye, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Charlie Amesbury, 10 Chris Malone, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Will Skinner (c), 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 Jim Evans, 4 Ollie Kohn, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Ceri Jones.
Replacements: 16 Tani Fuga, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 George Robson, 19 Tom Guest, 20 Andy Gomarsall, 21 Tosh Masson, 22 Waisea Luveniyali.

Ulster (from): 15 Bryn Cunningham, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Niall O'Connor, 9 Cillian Willis, 8 Robbie Diack, 7 David Pollock, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Ryan Caldwell, 4 Carlo Del Fava, 3 Brendon Botha, 2 Rory Best, 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Nigel Brady, 17 Justin Fitzpatrick, 18 Ed O'Donoghue, 19 Matt McCullough, 20 Isaac Boss, 21 Ian Humphreys, 22 Rob Dewey.