Joe Marler to lead Quins against Saints

September 30, 2022
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Ultimate Rugby

England and British and Irish Lions prop Joe Marler will lead Harlequins against playoff rivals Northampton Saints this Sunday as the Club looks to secure a first home win in the Gallagher Premiership this campaign.

Marler will lead a side that has seen four changes to the starting XV that travelled to Exeter last Sunday. Marler is restored to the starting XV after missing out on last week's game due to illness, while a second change sees injured hooker Jack Walker replaced by Academy graduate Jack Musk. Scrum-half Danny Care will earn his first start of the season while a final change sees fit-again lock Dino Lamb replace George Hammond in the second row.

Quins look to return to winning ways as Northampton travel to South West London. Over the last five matches against the Saints, Harlequins have been victorious on four occasions, with the most recent defeat coming as Northampton claimed a dramatic late victory at the end of the 2021/22 season through a late James Grayson penalty.

Previewing the fixture, Head Coach Tabai Mason said: “It’s been a great week in terms of our preparation. The big talking point for us off the back of last weekend’s narrow loss was the courage to come fighting back. A lot of teams fold when they’re 31-7 down at half-time, but this team’s DNA is to go and have a crack and see what happens. To be ahead with 16 seconds to play was the positive point around it.

“We’ve perhaps been a bit unlucky with injuries and absences so far this season. Obviously, we’ve had a gradual return of Marcus, Danny and Andre is still to come back, but you’ve got to feel for guys like James Chisholm, Tom Lawday, Stephan Lewies, Alex Dombrandt, Will Collier, Scott Steele and now Jack Walker who have had injuries disrupt their seasons’ start.

“But that being said, it’s been great to see how other players have taken their opportunities with both hands so far. We’ve had some young lads who will be the future of the Club exposed to first-team rugby. Squad depth is such an important factor in a league as fiercely competitive as the Premiership, so I expect we’ll see the benefit of that as the season, and years, go on.

“For us, Northampton taught us a real lesson. They beat us when we went up there at the end of last season and that game triggered a lot of our development. Their attacking play is exceptional.

“So, I’m really excited about playing another positive team in terms of the quality that will be, but we know it’s going to be a massive challenge.”

Harlequins Starting XV

1. Joe Marler - Captain

2. Jack Musk

3. Wilco Louw

4. Dino Lamb

5. Irne Herbst

6. Jack Kenningham

7. Will Evans

8. Archie White

9. Danny Care

10. Marcus Smith