Link

HARLEQUINS ANNOUNCE SQUAD TO PLAY AGEN (A)
Thursday, 17th January 2019 @ 12:00


NATHAN EARLE RETURNS TO THE HARLEQUINS STARTING XV FOR THE CLUB’S FINAL POOL 5 CHALLENGE CUP MATCH AGAINST AGEN ON FRIDAY NIGHT (KICK-OFF: 18:45 GMT).

The winger is the only change in the back line with captain Danny Care and Marcus Smith continuing their run at Half-backs, Ben Tapuai and Alofa Alofa in the Centres and a back three completed by Gabriel Ibitoye and Mike Brown. Cadan Murley, who once again enjoyed a strong match against Grenoble in Round 5 scoring his second try of the season, is out of the match 23 on rotation whilst Joe Marchant returns to the squad following his rest after his outstanding performance in Newcastle.

There are four changes up front with Joe Marler returning at Loosehead, George Merrick back in the second row for the rested Ben Glynn, Jack Clifford returning to the starting match 23 following his rest with last week’s Game Changer Luke Wallace joining him at flanker. Alex Dombrandt, Harlequins’ top try scorer this season with nine, continues to showcase his talent at Number 8 whilst man-of-the-match against Grenoble Matt Symons continues to impress in the second row.

A victory in France is enough to earn Harlequins a place in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals and Head of Rugby Paul Gustard said that is all the incentive the Club needs. “As a squad our mindset and desire is always to win the next thing. Whether it is the next scrum, the next maul, the next tackle or the next carry – we want to win it. So our focus has been solely on winning in Agen all week. Nothing else.

“We were not at our very best against Grenoble last weekend but we still scored five tries and almost doubled the number of points we scored compared with those conceded. We have now scored 18 tries in our past five games so I am pleased with the improvements we have made and the intent we have been showing in attack allied to the defensive resolve we have illustrated all season.

“Luke Wallace has earned his place in the starting XV through his excellent attitude and application in training. He consistently epitomises a team-first mentality irrespective of selection. He has also impressed in the last two Premiership Shield fixtures with his constant industry and ball pressure.  Chris Robshaw and James Horwill, our co-captains, were both very close to being able to play in this fixture which is a timely boost to the squad as we enter the final third of the season.

“The squad travels to France looking forward to the challenge of securing our progression to the knockout stages of the Cup. We are aware that destiny is in our hands and that we have a platinum opportunity to continue developing momentum in our game and performances.”

Harlequins XV to play Agen (kick-off: 18:45 GMT)
15. Mike Brown (309)
14.  Nathan Earle (15)
13. Alofa Alofa (62)
12. Ben Tapuai (10)
11. Gabriel Ibitoye (13)
10. Marcus Smith (46)
9. Danny Care (Captain, 255)

1.  Joe Marler (183)
2. Max Crumpton (13)
3. Will Collier (143)
4. Matt Symons (Vice-captain, 15)
5.  George Merrick (93)
6.  Jack Clifford (85)
7.  Luke Wallace (167)
8. Alex Dombrandt (12)

Game Changers
16. Dave Ward (158)
17. Lewis Boyce (28)
18. Josh Ibuanokpe (4)
19. Mat Luamanu (72)
20. Renaldo Bothma (19)
21. Charlie Mulchrone (33) 
22. James Lang (37)
23. Joe Marchant (72)

Not considered for selection
Rob Buchanan
Henry Cheeseman
James Chisholm
Ben Glynn
James Horwill
Mark Lambert
Paul Lasike
Josh McNulty
Cadan Murley
Chris Robshaw
Niall Saunders
Francis Saili
Kyle Sinckler
Tim Visser
Calum Waters

Can see Luamanu doing bits for us coming off the bench from the 60th. Can imagine he’s chomping at the bit to make an impression and what better way for the big man than to do it against the French!

COYQ

It seems that Gustard is countering the fans' (our board's) comments about Wallace in his statement! Fair play if he is.

A good team though. COYQ!

Decent looking team that! COYQ!!

He's giving Wallace a chance to impress as he is being released at the end of the season.

He will not be in the matchday squad for our next Gallaher games. 

I don't think this is the thinking behind playing players that he knows or even thinks he's releasing (whether or not Wallace is one of those - none of us know who might or not still be in with a chance of playing for a new contract). Merrick is playing too - he's got no one to impress now that his move to Clermont is signed, sealed, delivered. More likely this is evidence of Gussy's rotation policy to keep everyone fresh and on their toes - use the resources you have while you have them.

Good team. How many games has Chisholm been rested now?

Pleased for Wallace. Don't see why it would make anyone unhappy.

Hope care has a blinder.

As for Luamanu "doing bits" off the bench - not in the love island sense of the expression I hope!

European Challenge Cup

Venue: Stade Armandie Date: Friday, 18 January Kick-off: 18:45 GMT

Coverage: Live score updates on BBC local radio and on the BBC Sport website

Harlequins make five changes for their visit to French side Agen, with Nathan Earle and Joe Marler set to start.

George Merrick, Jack Clifford and Luke Wallace also play up front, with Mike Brown, Marcus Smith and captain Danny Care all keeping their places.

Joe Marchant returns to the bench after being rested against Grenoble.

Pool leaders Quins simply need to better second-placed Benetton's result to ensure their automatic qualification for the quarter-finals.

Phil Gustard's side are currently a point ahead of Benetton, who travel to Grenoble on Friday evening and are aiming to be the first Italian club reach the knockout stage of a major European competition.

Agen: Laporte; Saurs, Sadie, Heriteau, Masilevu; McIntyre, Abadie; Phelipponneau, Ngauamo, Chabeaudie, Maravat, Marchois, Jegerlhener, Miquel (capt), Hocquet.

Replacements: Peyri, Ryan, Montes, Farre, Briatte, Januarie, Berdeu, Yaha.

Harlequins: Brown; Earle, Alofa, Tapuai, Ibitoye; Smith, Care (capt); Marler, Crumpton, Collier, Symons, Merrick, Clifford, Wallace, Dombrandt.

Replacements: Ward, Boyce, Ibuanokpe, Luamanu, Bothma, Mulchrone, Lang, Marchant.

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wal).

For the latest rugby union news follow @bbcrugbyunion on Twitter.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/46880464

Clutching at straws here but you might be able to watch a live stream on the Paddy Power website.