Champions Harlequins Name Team For Season Opener

September 17, 2021
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Ultimate Rugby

Harlequins’ coaching team have named the matchday 23 to travel to Newcastle Falcons for the opening round of the 2021/22 Premiership campaign

Four players will look to make their debuts for the Club at Kingston Park this Sunday, with fit-again prop Craig Trenier looking to take to the field from the bench, while summer arrivals Jack Walker and Tommy Allan get the nod from the start, with centre Huw Jones named amongst the Impact Players.

The Line Ups 📋

🦅 @FalconsRugby v @Harlequins 🃏#NEWvHAR #GallagherPrem
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) September 17, 2021

In the absence of Captain Stephan Lewies, number eight Alex Dombrandt leads Harlequins as they travel north, with the fan favourite returning to Club action having made his Test debut for England over the summer.

Four current Harlequins Academy members make the match day 23, with flanker Jack Kenningham and wing Louis Lynagh slotting straight back into starting jerseys they donned during the Club’s triumphant Premiership final. On the bench, exciting tight-five duo Sam Riley (hooker), Fin Baxter (prop) and Hugh Tizard (second row) complete the Quins Academy quarter.

Set to make his Premiership debut for the Club in Newcastle, hooker Riley looks to continue his fine form of late, scoring a try in both of Harlequins’ pre-season fixtures after claiming an impressive five tries in as many games for England in the U20s Six Nations earlier this year.

Commenting ahead of his first league game with Harlequins, Senior Coach Tabai Matson said: “It’s great to get our competitive season kicked off in Newcastle this weekend. Pre-season has offered us a great opportunity to settle back in, welcome in some new faces, myself included, and sharpen our rugby for the season ahead.

“It’s great to see a really strong mixture of continuity from last season’s title win and some fresh faces through a few academy boys and summer arrivals.

“Newcastle are a well-drilled team that are always tough to overturn in the north.

“I’m personally really excited to get stuck into my first Premiership game for Quins, too. It’s been a fantastic start for me with the Club and I can’t wait to see the pre-season work transfer onto the field through a truly talented playing group”

Harlequins Starting XV

1. Santiago Garcia Botta (36)

2. Jack Walker (0)

3. Simon Kerrod (44)

4. Matt Symons (63)

5. Dino Lamb (48)

6. Tom Lawday (39)

7. Jack Kenningham (12)

8. Alex Dombrandt (76) - Captain

9. Danny Care (306)

10 .Tommy Allan (0)

11. Cadan Murley (48)