Harlequins have announced the side that will travel to Franklin’s Gardens to face Northampton Saints on Friday 1 November in the Gallagher Premiership.

Head of Rugby Paul Gustard has rotated the squad maintaining 16 players from last week’s 22-17 victory over Bristol Bears at The Stoop, joined by seven players making their first Gallagher Premiership appearance of the season.



Club stalwart Mark Lambert links up with Simon Kerrod and Elia Elia in the front three with Scott Baldwin and Will Collier taking a role as Game Changers. James Chisholm and Alex Dombrandt start alongside Captain Chris Robshaw who moves across to open side in the back row.



South African winger Travis Ismaiel will get his first run out in the Gallagher Premiership, with the side’s top try scorer so far this season Gabriel Ibitoye starting at 11.



Italian centre Michele Campagnaro is set to make his Harlequins debut, having been named as a Game Changer.



Scrum half Charlie Mulchrone is in line to make his final appearance for the Club before hanging up his playing boots as he continues his transition into coaching at Quins.



Head of Rugby Paul Gustard said “We’re pleased with the progress made from the squad and we are constantly energised by the attitude and aptitude of the players. It has and is always my intention to rotate the team and ensure that we encourage squad harmony and cohesion by giving people opportunities in the shirt for those that train with the positivity, energy and determination that we want.



“We have recruited and retained a good depth and balance in our squad and whilst two of our standouts for example from the opening two fixtures in Tom Lawday and Will Evans are rotated out, we are excited and delighted to include the significant talents of James and Alex. We believe in the squad we have at the Club and I need to find a way to give game time to players, without compromising the flow and rhythm of the team. On top of the current dynamic we are also steadily integrating some of our Rugby World Cup representatives back at the club and Campo is in line for his Club debut on Friday. He’s a strong and powerful player who has settled in well with the squad, and our attacking style of rugby.



“Friday will be Charlie Mulchrone’s last game for Quins, but it will not be the end of his involvement with the Club as he moves into his coaching transition role. We look forward to helping him develop into a first-class coach by mentoring and supporting our academy players. We thank Charlie for everything in his time playing for Harlequins and we hope he enjoys a very special bow out on Friday.”



Harlequins Starting XV:



1 Mark Lambert (244) (VC)



2 Elia Elia (40)



3 Simon Kerrod (6)



4 Stephan Lewies (4)



5 Matt Symons (29) (VC)



6 James Chisholm (75)



7 Chris Robshaw (279) (Captain)



8 Alex Dombrandt (29)



9 Martin Landajo (5) (VC)



10 Marcus Smith (63)



11 Gabriel Ibitoye (24)



12 Ben Tapuai (26)



13 Joe Marchant (84)



14 Travis Ismaiel (3)



15 Aaron Morris (35)



Game Changers:



16 Scott Baldwin (4)



17 Nick Auterac (14)



18 Will Collier (156)



19 Dino Lamb (19)



20 Renaldo Bothma (25)



21 Charlie Mulchrone (41) (VC)



22 Brett Herron (2)



23 Michele Campagnaro (0)



Not considered for selection (Senior Squad):

Forwards

Rob Buchanan

Max Crumpton

Toby Freeman

Santiago Garcia Botta

Jack Clifford

Tom Lawday

Will Evans



Backs

Danny Care

Paul Lasike

Francis Saili

Nathan Earle

Mike Brown

Cadan Murley

James Lang



Not considered for selection (Academy)

Forwards

Hugh Tizard

Jack Musk

Sam Riley

Kieran Sassone

Luke James

George Hammond

George Head

Jack Kenningham

Archie White



Backs

Dylan Munro

Lloyd Wheeldon

Harry Barlow

James Bourton

Lennox Anyanwu

Louis Lynagh



Rugby World Cup:

Joe Marler

Kyle Sinckler

Tevita Cavubati

Vereniki Goneva

Semi Kunatani



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