HARLEQUINS TEAM TO FACE EXETER ANNOUNCED
MARK LAMBERT IS SET TO MAKE HIS 250TH HARLEQUINS APPEARANCE AGAINST EXETER CHIEFS ON SATURDAY 29 FEBRUARY (KICK OFF 15:00) AT THE STOOP.
Joining Lambert in the tight five is lock Matt Symons who returns to the starting line-up, having recovered from injury.
Also making a return from injury is Ross Chisholm who replaces injured winger Cadan Murley whilst New Zealand centre Francis Saili is named as a Game Changer having missed a large part of the season through injury.
Head of Rugby at Harlequins, Paul Gustard said: “We have had a couple of close games in the last two weeks, with results going against us, but we have seen positive signs and progress from what is largely a young side that is still developing. We have worked hard this week to implement some tactical variation and look to challenge the league leaders both sides of the ball.
“Like all, but a couple of teams this year, we have struggled with consistency with a primary factor being down to the number of injured players currently in the squad. Last week we added two more contact injuries to the medical room in Cadan Murley and Santiago Garcia Botta which presents opportunity for others. We are however delighted to have the likes of Matt Symons and Ross Chisholm return from injury as well as Francis Saili who will look to add some magic after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
“On Saturday we get to celebrate another milestone moment with Mark Lambert starting to make his 250th run-out for Harlequins. Likewise, Danny Care will be making his 275th Quins appearance. Lamby and DC, are two of Quins’ all-time greats and the sheer number of games they have played for the Quarters is testament to their talent and perseverance. It is a phenomenal achievement for Lamby to reach this amount of games at the coal face of rugby especially when we consider how he manages his rugby with his work with our excellent Foundation. I know the squad will be motivated to perform for the big man and make sure he has a positive memory of Saturday.”
Harlequins Starting XV:
1 Mark Lambert (249)
2 Scott Baldwin (9)
3 Simon Kerrod (18)
4 Glen Young (12)
5 Matt Symons (39)
6 James Chisholm (87) (VC)
7 Chris Robshaw (290) (C)
8 Alex Dombrandt (42)
9 Danny Care (274) (VC)
10 Marcus Smith (77)
11 Gabriel Ibitoye (38)
12 Paul Lasike (20)
13 Tom Penny (4)
14 Ross Chisholm (119)
15 Aaron Morris (43)
Game Changers:
16 Joe Gray (152)
17 Nick Auterac (21)
18 Will Collier (168)
19 Tevita Cavubati (15)
20 Semi Kunatani (23)
21 Niall Saunders (14)
22 Brett Herron (10)
23 Francis Saili (32)
Not available due to injury:
Forwards
Santiago Garcia Botta
George Head
Elia Elia
Max Crumpton
Rob Buchanan
Stephan Lewies
Jack Clifford
Tom Lawday
Will Evans
Backs
James Lang
Luke Northmore
Ben Tapuai
Michele Campagnaro
Nathan Earle
Cadan Murley
Mike Brown
Not Available
Joe Marchant
Guinness Six Nations
Joe Marler
Kyle Sinckler
