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JOE GRAY IN LINE FOR QUINS RETURN AGAINST LONDON IRISH
Friday, 14th February 2020 @ 12:00


HARLEQUINS HAVE NAMED THE SQUAD TO TAKE ON LONDON IRISH AT THE STOOP IN THE GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP ON SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY.

Hooker Joe Gray, who recently joined on loan from Saracens, is available for selection and will make his second Harlequins debut, having previously played over 150 games for the Club.

Set to return after a long injury lay-off is former Welsh international Scott Baldwin, with the 31-year-old hooker named as a Game Changer.

Gallagher Premiership Rugby Player of the Month for January, Alex Dombrandt, starts at number eight alongside Will Evans and the explosive James Chisholm who captains the side at blindside.

The side includes three changes in the backs with Martin Landajo starting at scrum half whilst Cadan Murley moves from the wing into centre with Tom Penny injured, and Ross Chisholm starts at 14.

Head of Rugby at Harlequins, Paul Gustard said: “We are demonstrating some positive form at the moment, which is a real reflection of where we are at as a Club across the board, with strong foundations in place and a real sense of excitement in the building.

“Irish are a well-coached team led by Declan who has assembled a very talented and experienced playing group. They will be hungry to continue their strong form, having become the first team to oversee Northampton Saints this season at Franklin’s Gardens so, we are aware of the very real threat they possess.

“We have been unfortunate with injuries this season most notably in two particular areas this season; hooker and in the centres. As a club we’re delighted to see the second coming of Joe Gray who makes his 151st appearance in the famous quarters on Saturday, and also the return of Scott Baldwin from a severe injury that has limited him to only seven games early on in the campaign.

“Aside from the fierce contest on the field, we are delighted to be hosting our LGBTQ+ matchday at The Stoop. It is important as people, and as a club, we continue to show that rugby is a genuine sport for all, and we are all inclusive. I think it’s a great, albeit small, step in the right direction to where we as a club and as a sport want to be.”

Harlequins Starting XV:
1 Santiago Garcia Botta (13)
2 Joe Gray (151)
3 Will Collier (167)
4 Glen Young (10)
5 Matt Symons (38)
6 James Chisholm (85) (C)
7 Will Evans (10)
8 Alex Dombrandt (40)
9 Martin Landajo (14)
10 Marcus Smith (75)
11 Gabriel Ibitoye (36)
12 Paul Lasike (18)
13 Cadan Murley (29)
14 Ross Chisholm (118)
15 Aaron Morris (41)

Game Changers:
16 Scott Baldwin (7)
17 Mark Lambert (247)
18 Simon Kerrod (16)
19 Tevita Cavubati (13)
20 Semi Kunatani (21)
21 Danny Care (272)
22 Brett Herron (8)
23 Niall Saunders (13)

Not available due to injury:
Forwards
George Head
Elia Elia
Max Crumpton
Chris Robshaw
Stephan Lewies
Jack Clifford
Tom Lawday

Backs
James Lang
Luke Northmore
Tom Penny
Ben Tapuai
Francis Saili
Michele Campagnaro
Nathan Earle
Travis Ismaiel
Mike Brown

Not Available
Joe Marchant

Guinness Six Nations 
Joe Marler
Kyle Sinckler

So we have 3 scrum halves
is that in case it gets windy ?
Assume no one else fit

London Irish:

15 Ben Loader
14 Waisake Naholo
13 Curtis Rona
12 Terrence Hepetema
11 Ollie Hassell-Collins
10 Stephen Myler
9 Ben Meehan

1 Harry Elrington
2 Dave Porecki
3 Sekope Kepu
4 Franco van der Merwe ©
5 Adam Coleman
6 Matt Rogerson
7 Blair Cowan
8 Albert Tuisue

Replacements:
16 Ben Atkins, 17 Allan Dell, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Steve Mafi, 20 Ben Donnell, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Williams, 23 James Stokes

That's a pretty decent team actually.

Rob Buchanan is off the injured list is this the first week? We could end up with a plethora of hookers!

No Goneva on bench or injury list despite shortage of outside backs

That team's a little weaker than I was hoping for. This should be a very tough game.

Find it a bit weird that Gray is straight in, with Baldwin on the bench and Musk is dropped entirely. He was going well.

Has Gray really had enough time to rehearse all the lineout calls? I suspect we might see a slightly simplified lineout strategy tomorrow as a result.

Very surprised — Musk has been excellent. Goneva signing — mistake ...?

Fairly lightweight and very much a patch up side. Care should start over Landajo IMO.

Expecting a close contest which might turn into a boggy armwrestle considering the impending conditions..

I might actually bother going to this if I can get a ticket at short notice so I can conduct my unique pitch side analysis for you all.