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HARLEQUINS SQUAD ANNOUNCED FOR TRIP TO THE REC
Friday, 21st February 2020 @ 12:00

WELSH INTERNATIONAL SCOTT BALDWIN WILL MAKE HIS FIRST START SINCE NOVEMBER ON SATURDAY AGAINST BATH, HAVING RETURNED FROM INJURY OFF THE BENCH LAST WEEKEND.

Club Captain Chris Robshaw returns to the side after missing the past two matches through illness, forming a powerful back row alongside James Chisholm and Alex Dombrandt.

Danny Care is returned to the starting XV, as is Tom Penny who re-claims the number 13 shirt after missing last week against London Irish with injury. Penny’s return means that Cadan Murley returns to the wing, alongside fellow try-scoring winger Gabs Ibitoye on the other side.

Matt Symons and Stephan Lewies have both been ruled out through injury meaning that Scottish lock Glen Young continues in the second row next to Fijian international Tevita Cavubati.

Head of Rugby at Harlequins, Paul Gustard said: “Last week we didn’t get the result we wanted against a very strong London Irish. A number of errors cost us the game and, regardless of the conditions, we came up short so we have worked hard this week to address those areas of our game to ensure we are in a strong place heading down to The Rec. The game was a lot tighter than the score line suggested with two late scores on the back of our mistakes after sustained pressure and territory that we failed to convert.

“We have played at Bath already this season, coming away with two wins against them in the Heineken Champions Cup, but we know that Saturday will present a different challenge with both sides aiming to push up the league table. Bath come into this game off the back of two narrow victories against Leicester and Worcester, so will be hoping to maintain momentum.

“Growth is never linear, and we have encountered bumps on the road this season. However, the faith the backroom staff have in the players is constant. We know we have a very capable group of men who can do extraordinary things. As with most things in sport, you need to work hard to get what you want, and this group works hard. We look forward to Saturday.”

Harlequins Starting XV:
1 Santiago Garcia Botta (14)
2 Scott Baldwin (8)
3 Simon Kerrod (17)
4 Glen Young (11)
5 Tevita Cavubati (14)
6 James Chisholm (86) (VC)
7 Chris Robshaw (289) (C)
8 Alex Dombrandt (41)
9 Danny Care (273) (VC)
10 Marcus Smith (76)
11 Gabriel Ibitoye (37)
12 Paul Lasike (19)
13 Tom Penny (3)
14 Cadan Murley (30)
15 Aaron Morris (42)

Game Changers:
16 Jack Musk (11)
17 Mark Lambert (248)
18 Phil Swainston (26)
19 Dino Lamb (25)
20 Will Evans (11)
21 Semi Kunatani (22)
22 Niall Saunders (14)
23 Brett Herron (9)

Not available due to injury:
Forwards
George Head
Elia Elia
Max Crumpton
Joe Gray
Rob Buchanan
Will Collier
Matt Symons
Stephan Lewies
Jack Clifford
Tom Lawday

Backs
Martin Landajo
James Lang
Luke Northmore
Ben Tapuai
Francis Saili
Michele Campagnaro
Nathan Earle
Travis Ismaiel
Vereniki Goneva
Mike Brown

Not Available
Joe Marchant

Guinness Six Nations
Joe Marler
Kyle Sinckler

23 players named.  23 players not available through injury and otehr duties.  How many does that leave that were available for selection?  That said it looks a good team and we have seen what they are capable of - excusing last weeks performance in awfukl conditions.  COYQs

Im happy with the 6 2 split to be honest as the forward available are better the available backs. Just have to play a very strong game upfront and dominate them from the get go to prevent bath backs getting any quickball

Lets hope Mr Baldwin gets his arrows on target this week and Mr Young has practised his handling skills !

Part of the reason for the 6/2 split may also be in anticipation of of it being a slog through the mud, given how the Rec can be when it's recently rained. Plus you could always put Semi in alonside Lasike later on in the game. Imagine that pairing running at you!

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Update: The club have just tweeted a 3min video from Gussy explaining the team selection. It can be found HERE

I hope Elia will be back soon. I don't recall his injury being that bad. Also, it seems his wife just had a baby - congrats Elia! - so maybe there's a mix of paternity time in there. Either way, he's outshone every other hooker for Quins this season.

Re the centres, I echo the idea of popping Semi in alongside big Paulie. Could be interesting.

I hope Elia will be back soon. I don't recall his injury being that bad. Also, it seems his wife just had a baby - congrats Elia! - so maybe there's a mix of paternity time in there. Either way, he's outshone every other hooker for Quins this season.

Yes, me too, although Musk has done extremely well for us. Not at all impressed with Baldwin, however, especially last weekend, but before that as well. Hard to escape the impression that he's either past his prime or just coasting to pick up the paycheck. Doesn't seem that interested. I'd rather play Musk.

I can't remember the last time I had so little interest in a Quins game coupled with a deep sense of foreboding. Hopefully last week's spawny effort will result in them showing some proper nous and pride today.