International Harlequins return for Bath season opener

Harlequins have named their first matchday 23 of the Gallagher PREM season as they welcome Bath to The Stoop on Friday night (19:45, live on TNT Sports).

The Quarters are set to open up their season in front of a sold-out Twickenham Stoop as the reigning champions, Bath travel to the capital for a mouthwatering round one match-up.

The hosts are boosted by the return of several international players to the forwards, which includes Fin Baxter at loosehead, Chandler Cunningham-South at lock and skipper Alex Dombrandt at Number 8.

Elsewhere in the pack, Harry Williams is set for his Gallagher PREM debut in the Quarters alongside summer signing Kieran Treadwell in the engine room.

Will Porter returns to start at scrum-half alongside Jarrod Evans at fly-half.

Sean Kerr is partnered with newly-capped England international, Oscar Beard in the centres. Meanwhile, Cadan Murley returns to the wing with Nick David and Tyrone Green complete the starting XV at full-back.

Jason Gilmore has named largely youthful group of impact players, which includes Zach Carr and Ludo Kolade who are set to make their Gallagher PREM debuts on Friday night.

George Turner and Jordan Els provide experience at replacement hooker and loosehead respectively, while Ollie Streeter, Jonny Green, Max Green and Cameron Anderson are also named in the matchday 23.

Senior Coach, Jason Gilmore said: “This fixture has given us a jolt and a focus after a lot of change in recent weeks. We’ve had a big game to prepare for, which has been the focus of the group and we’re looking forward to getting out on the pitch in front of a sold-out Stoop.

“It’s an important game to get our season started. I think if we look back at the opening block of last season, we dropped a few games in the final moments and that really hurt us in terms of the league table come the backend of the season, so we know how important it is to get off to a good start.”

HARLEQUINS v BATH

• Friday 26 September (19:45)

• The Stoop

• Live on TNT Sports

STARTING XV

15. Tyrone Green (95)

14. Nick David (74)

13. Oscar Beard (77)

12. Sean Kerr (10)

11. Cadan Murley (130)

10. Jarrod Evans (35)

9. Will Porter (44)

1. Fin Baxter (70)

2. Jack Walker (91)

3. Harry Williams (1)

4. Chandler Cunningham-South (31)

5. Kieran Treadwell (7)

6. Jack Kenningham (74)

7. Will Evans (116)

8. Alex Dombrandt (C) (157)

IMPACT PLAYERS:

16. George Turner (1)

17. Jordan Els (52)

18. Ollie Streeter (5)

19. Jonny Green (11)

20. Zach Carr (9)

21. Max Green (11)

22. Ludo Kolade (5)

23. Cameron Anderson (18)

Unavailable for selection (injury): Ethan Clarke, Matt Woollard, Lucas Friday, Jamie Benson, James Chisholm, Stu Townsend, Stephan Lewies, Titi Lamositele, Pedro Delgado, Ben Waghorn, Simon Kerrod, Will Hobson, Lucas Schmid, Joe Launchbury, Luke Northmore, Bryn Bradley

Unavailable for selection (international duty): Guido Petti, Rodrigo Isgro, Boris Wenger