Harlequins encouraged to compound Saints' woe
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Your support makes all the difference.Harlequins' players have been challenged to build on their victory over Wasps with another match-winning display today at Northampton – the team immediately above them in the Zurich Premiership table.
Wasps were beaten 27-14 at The Stoop last Sunday and Mark Evans, Quins' chief executive, is demanding a similar performance when they meet a Saints side looking to avoid their fourth consecutive defeat.
"A lot has been said about our performance against Wasps last weekend," said Evans, whose side have moved up to seventh place. "However, we must move forward by producing a similar performance against Northampton."
Harlequins make three changes to the side that beat Wasps. An injury to centre Nick Greenstock means 19-year-old Andy Reay will make his first team debut while at scrum-half Scott Bemand replaces Nick Duncombe, who is also injured.
Northampton have been hit by the internationals with Tom Smith and Budge Poutney on Scotland duty while Ben Cohen, Matt Dawson and Steve Thompson are in action for England. Several unfamiliar faces will therefore be on show – centre Chris Hyndman, prop Brett Sturgess and flanker Darren Fox among them.
Second-placed Leeds will be looking to replace Gloucester at the top of the table at Kingsholm tomorrow. Jake Boer will captain Gloucester in the absence of England's prop Phil Vickery. Gloucester are also missing injured front-row Trevor Woodman, while Leeds are without Scotland fly-half Gordon Ross. But the England hooker Mark Regan, who is on the bench for the South Africa game, should play some part.
Bristol play Bath at the Recreation Ground but are without three crucial players. England winger Phil Christophers and Argentinian half-back duo Felipe Contepomi and Agustin Pichot are on international duty.
Shane Drahm proved an able deputy for Contepomi against London Irish last week and should start if he recovers from an ankle injury. Bath have named England duo Danny Grewcock and Mike Tindall in their squad – despite today's Springbok match – but Mike Catt has failed a fitness test and will be replaced by Chris Malone.
London Irish keep the same side as last week for Leicester's visit with youngster Nick Kennedy retaining his place. Leicester have also been hit by international call-ups but that has done little to stop them finding their form. They have beaten Northampton and Gloucester on successive weekends.
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