On the Offy

Robshaw leads Harlequins for season opening fixture at The Stoop


Chris Robshaw will captain Harlequins for the club’s opening Gallagher Premiership fixture of the season at The Twickenham Stoop tomorrow afternoon (kick-off 15:00).
The England international leads a strong team that includes eight full internationals in the starting line-up among them Mike Brown who will be making his 299th appearance in Harlequins colours.

Head of Rugby Paul Gustard has also selected four of the club’s summer signings in the match day squad – Nathan Earle, Paul Lasike, Matt Symons and Ben Tapuai will make their debuts.

Commenting on his first Premiership selection, Gustard said, “The pre-season matches gave an opportunity for all our players to stake a claim for a position in tomorrow’s match 23 and allow my coaching team the chance to see different combinations.  We have selected a squad that will exhibit the resilience, toughness and attacking flair that we want our teams to show.

"As for our visitors, Steve Diamond has been developing a competitive squad full of internationals and star quality and we are looking forward to the challenge his team will bring.”

Harlequins team to play Sale Sharks (Harlequins appearances)

15. Mike Brown (298)
14. Nathan Earle (-)
13. Joe Marchant (56)
12. Ben Tapuai (-)
11. Aaron Morris (17)
10. Marcus Smith (28)
9. Danny Care (244)

1. Joe Marler (168)
2. Elia Elia (16)
3. Will Collier (126)
4. Matt Symons (-)
5. Dino Lamb (10)
6. Chris Robshaw (Captain, 257)
7. Luke Wallace (162)
8. Renaldo Bothma (6)

Game Changers

16. Max Crumpton (-)
17. Mark Lambert (234)
18. Phil Swainston (9)
19. Ben Glynn (20)
20. James Chisholm (55)
21. Charlie Mulchrone (18)
22. James Lang (22)
23. Paul Lasike (-)

Sale:

SHARKS:
15. B MCGUIGAN
14. D SOLOMONA
13. S JAMES
12. L JAMES
11. M YARDE
10. AJ MACGINTY
9.W CLIFF

1.R HARRISON
2.R WEBBER
3.WG JOHN
4.B EVANS
5. J PHILLIPS
6. T CURRY 
7. B CURRY
8. J ROSS (CAPTAIN)

REPLACEMENTS: 16.C NEILD 17. A. TARUS 18. J JONES 19. J BEAUMONT 20. J. STRAUSS 21. G WARR 22. M JENNINGS 23. P. ODOGWU

Indeed, interesting for who is missing. No Walker, Visser, Sailli, Cat, Sink, Horwill.

I've definitely seen stronger teams though there's some areas on strength in there for sure. Visser and Walker must be carrying knocks as I can't see much of a reason to play Morris there otherwise. All of the back 3 can play full back though.

I will be positive and treat this as an opportunity to be impressed with lamb and morris in the starters, and crumpton and swainston on the bench.

Interested to see how Wallace is used under new management before passing judgement.

Welcome to The Twickenham Stoop Mr Yarde

I will be positive and treat this as an opportunity to be impressed with lamb and morris in the starters, and crumpton and swainston on the bench.

Interested to see how Wallace is used under new management before passing judgement.

He was in his usual position vs Ealing, i.e. on the wing.

yes good to see J Chisholm isn't broken