Harlequins: Dombrandt set for 100th Club appearance vs London Irish

Harlequins and England number eight Alex Dombrandt will earn his 100th Club appearance against London Irish this weekend as the dynamic backrow returns to fitness.

Dombrandt will make his first appearance since September 17, leaving the field in a 27-30 defeat to London rivals Saracens.

Also reaching landmark appearances weekend, prop Wilco Louw and flanker Will Evans will both earn their 50th appearances for Harlequins against London Irish, while winger Josh Basset will win his first appearance in the Quarters since joining the Club earlier this month on the right wing.

Harlequins’ coaches have made four changes to the matchday squad that claimed a gritty victory over Sale Sharks in Manchester last Sunday. Alongside Dombrandt and Bassett, George Hammond and Lennox Anyanwu return to the starting line-up this week, replacing England call-up Cadan Murley and the injured Dino Lamb respectively.

A rejig in the backline following call-ups for fly-half Marcus Smith and Murley sees Italian international Tommy Allan start at fly-half, after running out at fullback last Sunday, with Nick David shifting to the 15 jersey as Bassett enters the line-up.

A final change sees Joe Marchant move out to the wing as Anyanwu earns his first Premiership start at outside centre alongside bruising Springbok midfielder Andre Esterhuizen.

Added to the matchday squad amongst the Impact Players this week, hooker George Head returns to fitness for the first time since Exeter Chiefs away, while second-row Charlie Matthews and young back Oscar Beard will look to claim their first Gallagher Premiership appearances of the season during the latter stages of the fixture.

Commenting, Lineout and Defence Coach Jerry Flannery said: “London Irish are a team that love to play, much like we do at Quins. They hold the ball and whenever we’ve played them in the past it’s been a high-scoring game. There’s been plenty of energy in training this week. These derby games are the type of matches every player loves to be involved in, so the boys are excited to get stuck in on Saturday.

“It’s great to see Alex Dombrandt run out for his 100th appearance for the Club this week. He’s a guy that lives and breathes the Harlequins Way of doing things and we’re delighted to have him back in the team this week.

“Wilco Louw and Will Evans hitting 50 appearances each is also a credit to how much of an impact both players have made since joining the Club. They’re two guys who give nothing less than 100% for the team and deserve all the plaudits they’ll get this week for hitting a half-century of games in the Quarters.”

Harlequins Starting XV

1. Joe Marler - Captain

2. Jack Musk

3. Wilco Louw

4. George Hammond

5. Irne Herbst

6. Jack Kenningham

7. Will Evans

8. Alex Dombrandt

9. Danny Care

10. Tommy Allan

11. Josh Bassett

12. Andre Esterhuizen

13. Lennox Anyanwu

14. Joe Marchant

15. Nick David

Impact Players

16. George Head

17. Fin Baxter

18. Simon Kerrod

19. Charlie Matthews

20. Archie White

21. Lewis Gjaltema

22. Will Edwards

23. Oscar Beard