Catrakilis set for first start of the season

Demetri Catrakilis makes his first Gallagher Premiership start of the season as Harlequins travel to Sale in their Round 18 fixture on Friday evening.

Catrakilis, who scored the winning penalty in the dying minutes of the Club’s European Challenge Cup quarter-final against Worcester last Saturday, is one of two changes in the back line as Nathan Earle returns to the right wing following his rest week with Ross Chisholm rotated. Cadan Murley moves to the left wing.

Up front there are four changes with Max Crumpton at Hooker coming in for the injured Elia Elia. Kyle Sinckler and Matt Symons both return following their respective rests at Tighthead and Second Row respectively with Alex Dombrandt also coming back into the team following his regeneration week.

Head of Rugby Paul Gustard said: “We were very pleased to win in Europe at the weekend and reach a semi-final but since then our attention has been solely on our next Premiership fixture as we look to push forward in the league.

“It was an important win for the Club to move forward not just in that competition but to continue to develop an unconditional mindset and approach to how we play.

“We have now won as many or more away matches this season than we have done in our previous five seasons, which is reflective of the positive growth we have been developing this season.

“Sale as we know are a well-run club under Dimes [Steve Diamond] and a very dangerous team with an array of attacking talent and options, but fortunately so are we and we look forward to this challenge.”

Harlequins team to play Sale (Harlequins appearances)

15. Mike Brown (316)

14. Nathan Earle (21)

13. Alofa Alofa (67)

12. Ben Tapuai (17)

11. Cadan Murley (12)

10. Demetri Catrakilis (12)

9. Danny Care (259)

1. Lewis Boyce (35)

2. Max Crumpton (16)

3. Kyle Sinckler (133)

4. Matt Symons (20)

5. James Horwill (Co-Captain, 64)

6. Jack Clifford (92)

7. Chris Robshaw (Co-Captain, 269)

8. Alex Dombrandt (18)

Game Changers

16. Dave Ward (165)

17. Nick Auterac (7)

18. Phil Swainston (21)

19. Ben Glynn (38)

20. Mat Luamanu (74)

21. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (0)

22. Marcus Smith (53)

23. Francis Saili (20)