Friendly reminder that it's a 17:30 kick-off.

HARLEQUINS HAS ANNOUNCED ITS SQUAD TO FACE BATH RUGBY IN ROUND TWO OF THE HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP.

Included in the starting line-up is Rugby World Cup finalist Joe Marler, who makes his first appearance for Harlequins this season.

Scrum half Danny Care will run out at The Stoop for the first time this campaign, having returned from injury and featuring against ASM Clermont Auvergne last week. Italian international Michele Campagnaro makes his first start for the Club, in what will be his second performance in front of a home crowd in South-West London.

Also in line for their first appearances of the 2019/20 season are Semi Kunatani and Paul Lasike who are two of four experienced internationals named as Game Changers alongside Tevita Cavubati and Santiago Garcia Botta.

Elia Elia starts at hooker with Academy player George Head confirmed at 16 and is in line to make his Harlequins debut on Saturday.

Head of Rugby Paul Gustard said: “We have had a good week training and put the result from last week behind us. The boys have shown great character and togetherness and are looking forward to playing on Saturday as we welcome Champions Cup rugby back to The Stoop. We have mixed up our training week and changed a few things around which has been aided by the return of big Sink and Joe Marler. They are two big personalities whom are both well-loved at the Club, and it’s great to see them around the facility once more.

“We know Saturday represents an opportunity to put our learnings into practice against a strong Bath team and put together a performance we can be proud of.”

Harlequins Starting XV:

1 Joe Marler (193)

2 Elia Elia (43)

3 Will Collier (158)

4 Stephan Lewies (5)

5 Matt Symons (31) (VC)

6 Chris Robshaw (281) (Captain)

7 Will Evans (7)

8 Tom Lawday (6)

9 Danny Care (263) (VC)

10 Marcus Smith (66)

11 Cadan Murley (21)

12 James Lang (54)

13 Michele Campagnaro (2)

14 Ross Chisholm (108)

15 Mike Brown (326)

Game Changers:

16 George Head (0)

17 Santiago Garcia Botta (6)

18 Simon Kerrod (9)

19 Tevita Cavubati (2)

20 Semi Kunatani (12)

21 Niall Saunders (10)

22 Paul Lasike (10)

23 Gabriel Ibitoye (27)

Not available due to injury:

Forwards
Rob Buchanan
Max Crumpton
Jack Clifford
James Chisholm
Alex Dombrandt
Scott Baldwin
Kyle Sinckler

Backs
Nathan Earle
Ben Tapuai
Aaron Morris
Joe Marchant
Francis Salli

BATH RUGBY TEAM TO FACE HARLEQUINS
15. Anthony Watson
14. Semesa Rokoduguni
13. Jonathan Joseph
12. Max Wright
11. Ruaridh McConnochie
10. Freddie Burns
9. Chris Cook

1. Lewis Boyce
2. Jack Walker
3. Christian Judge
4. Josh McNally
5. Charlie Ewels (c)
6. Elliott Stooke
7. Josh Bayliss
8. Francois Louw

Replacements

16. Tom Dunn
17. Beno Obano
18. Will Stuart
19. Matt Garvey
20. Rhys Davies
21. Will Chudley
22. Rhys Priestland
23. Jamie Roberts

I agree they look too strong for us, and yet another new centre combination. Yet another good week of training lets see if that make a jot of difference on the pitch. Will be giving them all my support though !

Bath look stronger to me but still a decent team.

Good to see brown is ok.

Campagnaro has looked decent in his cameos so far.

Landajo dropped altogether and gabs dropped too.

Really need lineout to function. 3 injured hookers isn't ideal

 - We're gonna get Mullered. Again.

 - True, but Our Valliant Lads will still have to do the jumpy-up-inna-air stuff, then catch, then pass (without hitting the 9 on the bonce), then Our Heroic 9 -if he's watching- has to catch it so that he can kick it back to them..

 - Can't help thinking you're asking a lot.

  [-Presumably it'll be caught by Francois Louw; that's why it's called a Bok's kick..?]

Neither Ismaeli or Goneva seem to be fancied. I can't recall the last time Goneva caught a cross-field kick without knocking on particularly when defending - a weakness that was exposed in his few RWC appearances. Ismaeli didn't exactky shine on debut either. A couple of average signings I fear. I'd have loved Sinoti Sinoti but he didn't have a relegation clause unfortunately

Head as Hooker cover is a surprise.  I always had him as a LH that covered the A Team when there were injuries.  Seems he has now made the change permanent.