Mike Brown plays 50th European game

Harlequins name team to host Racing 92 in first home Heineken Champions Cup game of the season

Head of Rugby Paul Gustard has named the Quins team to face French side Racing 92 at The Twickenham Stoop this Sunday.

Gustard has made two changes to the starting line-up, with last week’s Impact Player Tom Lawday stepping in to start at blindside flanker in the pack, while outside centre Joe Marchant returns to the starting line-up for the first time this season.

Alex Dombrandt continues to lead the side from number eight in absence of injured second row and Club Captain Stephan Lewies.

Mike Brown earns his 50th tournament appearance in the fifteen jersey, while continuing to extend his run as the most capped player in the Club’s history with over 330 appearances to his name.

Commenting ahead of the game, Gustard said: “Whilst we were disappointed to come away from Munster with nothing in the game in terms of points, we can take great heart from large aspects of our performance knowing that we were architects of the result in many ways. Very few teams travel well to Thomond park and we had put ourselves in a good position. But unfortunately, key moments and decisions cost us heavily.

“The group remains confident and I am delighted with the growth of our team with their reflection and appetite to improve. Which we know we must in order to overcome a formidable Racing 92 team who have been finalists in this competition twice in the last three years.

“They have a litany of international talent who are in form and are one of the most dangerous teams in the competition.

“We are disappointed that due to current restrictions a game of this stature will not be in front of some of our fans. But we have prepared well, picked a strong team, and we look forward to the challenge on Sunday.”

“It is also great to see two of Harlequins’ finest ever players reach 50 European games. Firstly in Danny Care, who played his 50th European game last weekend. And secondly, in Mike brown, Quins' record appearance holder, make his 50th European game against Racing.”

Harlequins Starting XV:

1. Joe Marler (206)

2. Scott Baldwin (22)

3. Wilco Louw (8)

4. Hugh Tizard (3)

5. Glen Young (24)

6. Tom Lawday (22)

7. Will Evans (25)

8. Alex Dombrandt (56) - Captain

9. Danny Care (287)

10. Marcus Smith (90)

11. Cadan Murley (38)

12. Ben Tapuai (31)

13. Joe Marchant (94)

14. Nathan Earle

15. Mike Brown (337)

Impact Players:

16. Elia Elia (56)

17. Jordan Els (5)

18. Fin Baxter (0)

19. Dino Lamb (34)

20. James Chisholm (100)

21. Scott Steele (10)

22. James Lang (70)

23. Chris Ashton (7)

Unavailable for selection:

Andre Esterhuizen, Simon Kerrod

Unavailable due to injury:

Joe Gray, George Head, Joe Wrafter, Craig Trenier, Will Collier, Matt Symons, Stephan Lewies, Brett Herron, Paul Lasike, Michele Campagnaro, Aaron Morris