Marler returns for Quins’ Newcastle clash

England prop Joe Marler starts for Quins after returning from England camp as Newcastle travel to The Stoop

Marler and fellow Test prop Wilco Louw will start together for Quins this Friday for the first time since the 2020/21 Gallagher

Premiership final as Quins lifted their second league title. Promoted to the starting XV this week, Harlequins Academy hooker Sam Riley completes the front row this week.

Italian fly-half Tommy Allan and wing Louis Lynagh complete the five changes to the starting side that claimed a 21-29 victory over Worcester Warriors a week ago.

A further change to the matchday 23 sees centre Luke Northmore return to fitness following a short stint on the sidelines.

Commenting ahead of tomorrow’s fixture live on BT Sport, Head Coach Tabai Matson said: “Our game against Newcastle in round one was tough. They targeted that game. We’re glad that we were able to play well in the first game of the season and scrape through with a win.

"The table positions this weekend won’t mean a huge amount on each side’s performance. They’ll be coming down looking for any opportunity to disrupt us. They’ll have the genuine feeling that they can come down to London and get stuck put us off our game, so we’re preparing for that.”

Harlequins Starting XV

1. Joe Marler

2. Sam Riley

3. Wilco Louw

4. Matt Symons

5. Hugh Tizard

6. Stephan Lewies - Captain

7. Tom Lawday

8. Archie White

9. Danny Care

10. Tommy Allan

11. Cadan Murley

12. Andre Esterhuizen

13. Huw Jones

14. Louis Lynagh

15. Tyrone Green

Impact Players

16. Jack Walker

17. Simon Kerrod

18. Will Collier

19. George Hammond

20. Matas Jurevicius

21. Lewis Gjaltema

22. Will Edwards

23. Luke Northmore