mens
challenge-cup
PREM wrinkles Harlequins are welcome back Argentina international Rodrigo Isgró as one of four changes to their starting XV for Sunday’s EPCR Challenge Cup opener against RC Valves at The Stoop.
The Gallagher PREM side will be aiming to kick-start their season after a challenging opening to the domestic campaign, with head coach Jason Gilmore making changes to both his pack and backline ahead of the visit of the French outfit.
For a selection of titles see Los Cougars winger Isgró returns to the attack side on the right flank. The former World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year joins captain Cadan Murley and full-back George Furbank in a back three packed with attacking threats.
Harlequins retain the central combination of Luke Northmore and Bryn Bradley, while Marcus Smith continues at fly-half alongside scrum-half Lucas Friday.
Up front, the hosts are unchanged in the front row, with Will Hobson and Simon Kerrod lining either side of Sam Riley’s whore. Riley will be looking to build on the confidence gained when he scored twice in last week’s loss to Sale Sharks.
James Dun and Kieran Treadwell continue their partnership in the second row, while former European champion Guido Petti Pagadizábal comes into the side on the blindside. Seb Driscoll and Lucas Schmid complete the back row.
Gilmore again opted for a six-two bench split, with England Under-20 player Jimmy Staples is included among the substitutes and is in line for his European debut. Summer signings Harry Johnson-Holmes and Ollie Streeter provide front row cover.
Elliot Williams was named in the senior squad for the match for the first time since pre-season, while Harry Browne and experienced openside Will Evans were also among the replacements.
Scrum-half Will Porter and all-rounder Tyrone Green complete the 23 for Quins, who will be aiming to get their Challenge Cup campaign off to a winning start on home soil.
harlequins: 15 George Furbank, 14 Rodrigo Isgro, 13 Luke Northmore, 12 Bryn Bradley, 11 Cadan Murley (capt), 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Lucas Friday; 1 Will Hobson, 2 Sam Riley, 3 Simon Kerrod, 4 James Dunn, 5 Kieran Treadwell, 6 Guido Petti Pagadizábal, 7 Seb Driscoll, 8 Lucas Schmid.
Replacements: 16 Jimmy Staples, 17 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 18 Ollie Streeter, 19 Elliot Williams, 20 Harry Browne, 21 Will Evans, 22 Will Porter, 23 Tyrone Green.