Premiership | Harlequins vs Bath line ups and preview

Bath travel to The Stoop to initiate the fourth encounter of the round when they tackle Harlequins.

Only seven points separated the two teams the last time they came to blows - in the eleventh round, at The Rec. - Bath coming out on the winning side, 19-12.

While it was a good performance by both teams, Bath deserved their victory, containing the ‘Quins forwards well while benefitting particularly from the skilful running of winger Ruaridh McConnochie, who bagged a brace of tries.

‘Quins will fancy their chances in this one, having posted a good win against Northampton (30-17) in the previous round while Bath found themselves on the losing side against Wasps on Monday evening.

The conditions will, of course, play a significant role, but Quins, largely through the ample abilities of flyhalf Marcus Smith, have been able to develop an effective ball-in-hand attacking game along with a brilliant kicking game which gave them the upper hand against Sale in Round 14.

Zach Mercer and co. would do well to heap the pressure onto the ‘Quins halfbacks in a bid to lessen their control of the game.

Bath are currently sitting in fifth position while ‘Quins are eight points behind them in seventh. Such details will, however, be afterthoughts as this old rivalry plays out on the pitch.

Team News

Harlequins

With up to 3500 onlookers set to fill the stadium, Club captain Chris Robshaw leads out a Quins side with three changes to the team that claimed a bonus-point victory over Northampton Saints last Sunday.

Glen Young replaces Stephan Lewies in the second row while Brett Herron steps in for Marcus Smith in the ten jersey to pair last week’s Man of the Match Danny Care in the halfback department. In the midfield, Australian international Ben Tapuai replaces Paul Lasike at inside centre, with the bruising USA international taking up a spot on the bench in the 23 jersey.

Bath

Stuart Hooper makes three changes to the forward pack with Josh Bayliss coming in for Zach Mercer and Elliott Stooke comes off the bench to replace Josh McNally and partners up at second row with Charlie Ewels.

Miles Reid comes into the side to earn his first start for the blue, Black and White since the first match of the season, where he tore his ACL against Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership Rugby Cup at Sandy Park.

Cameron Redpath comes back into the fold, replacing Josh Matavesi in midfield whilst Semesa Rokoduguni comes back into the side to replace Gabriel Hamer-Webb as the England international returns to the wing, with Ruaridh McConnochie switching to the opposite side.

Line Ups

HARLEQUINS 

15. Mike Brown, 14. Chris Ashton, 13. Joe Marchant, 12. Ben Tapuai, 11. Nathan Earle, 10. Brett Herron, 9. Danny Care; 1. Joe Marler, 2. Scott Baldwin, 3. Simon Kerrod, 4. Matt Symons, 5. Glen Young, 6. Chris Robshaw (C), 7. Will Evans, 8. Alex Dombrandt

REPLACEMENTS
16. Joe Gray, 17. Santiago Garcia Botta, 18. Will Collier, 19. Stephan Lewies, 20. Tom Lawday, 21. Martin Landajo, 22. James Lang, 23. Paul Lasike 

BATH 
15. Anthony Watson, 14. Semesa Rokoduguni, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 12. Cameron Redpath, 11. Ruaridh McConnochie, 10. Rhys Priestland, 9. Ben Spencer; 1. Beno Obano, 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Will Stuart, 4. Elliott Stooke, 5. Charlie Ewels (C), 6. Josh Bayliss, 7. Miles Reid 8. Taulupe Faletau

REPLACEMENTS
16. Jack Walker, 17. Lewis Boyce, 18. Christian Judge, 19. Josh McNally, 20. Tom Ellis, 21. Will Chudley, 22. Josh Matavesi, 23. Tom de Glanville