Wallace starts as Quins visit the AJ Bell

June 03, 2021
3110
Ultimate Rugby

Harlequins’ coaching group has named the side to travel to Sale Sharks this Friday for the penultimate round of the regular Premiership season

Quins’ coaching contingent has opted to ring the changes this weekend with 10 changes to the side that claimed a high-scoring win in front of Quins’ fans in South West London last weekend, with Club Captain Stephan Lewies, back row Tom Lawday, fly-half James Lang, centre Joe Marchant and fullback Tyrone Green the only players to retain their starting slots.

Openside Luke Wallace starts for Harlequins for the first time since 2019 having rejoined the Club from league rivals Leicester Tigers last weekend and is set to add to his 169 appearances in the Quarters between 2009 and 2019.

Also amongst the changes, England U20 man Oscar Beard is set to make his Club and Premiership debut on the wing, joining Green and Aaron Morris to form the back three.

Quins also welcome back Scott Steele and Louis Lynagh from spells side-lined through injury to take up spots amongst the Impact Players in the 21 and 23 jerseys respectively. Also returned to fitness this week after overcoming an achilles injury is tighthead prop Craig Trenier, who will add further depth to the three jersey for the end of season run-in.

Commenting ahead of the game, Scrum Coach Adam Jones said: “We’ve had a couple of competitive encounters with Sale over the last year, so we’re fairly well versed with the style of rugby they like to play.

“They’re a physical side who will punish you with the core fundamentals of their game, so we know we will have to be focused and disciplined to get a result.

“It’s great to see Luke Wallace back in the Quins jersey this weekend. He’s slotted back into the Club like he never left this week and I know how excited he is to run out for Quins again.

“It’s equally as exciting for us to see Oscar Beard getting his first chance in the senior side on the wing. Oscar is just one of the young guys who have stood up this season and are taking their chance.

“It’s been fantastic for everyone at the Club to see people like Oscar and Jack Kenningham stand out for us this season, and we fully back Oscar to go from strength to strength going forward as more young boys get their chances to compete for a starting place.”

Harlequins Starting XV

1. Santiago Garcia Botta (35)

2. Joe Gray (171)

3. Will Collier (186)

4. Dino Lamb (45)

5. Stephan Lewies (33)

6. Archie White (43)

7. Luke Wallace (169)

8. Tom Lawday (37)

9. Martin Landajo (33)

10. James Lang (82)

11. Oscar Beard (0)