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#Post#: 14839--------------------------------------------------
Team's Up!
DIR By: Fearless Fred
Date: January 17, 2019, 6:09 am
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Link
HTML https://www.quins.london/news/harlequins-announce-squad-to-play-agen-a/
HARLEQUINS ANNOUNCE SQUAD TO PLAY AGEN (A)
Thursday, 17th January 2019 @ 12:00
NATHAN EARLE RETURNS TO THE HARLEQUINS STARTING XV FOR THE
CLUB’S FINAL POOL 5 CHALLENGE CUP MATCH AGAINST AGEN ON FRIDAY
NIGHT (KICK-OFF: 18:45 GMT).
The winger is the only change in the back line with captain
Danny Care and Marcus Smith continuing their run at Half-backs,
Ben Tapuai and Alofa Alofa in the Centres and a back three
completed by Gabriel Ibitoye and Mike Brown. Cadan Murley, who
once again enjoyed a strong match against Grenoble in Round 5
scoring his second try of the season, is out of the match 23 on
rotation whilst Joe Marchant returns to the squad following his
rest after his outstanding performance in Newcastle.
There are four changes up front with Joe Marler returning at
Loosehead, George Merrick back in the second row for the rested
Ben Glynn, Jack Clifford returning to the starting match 23
following his rest with last week’s Game Changer Luke Wallace
joining him at flanker. Alex Dombrandt, Harlequins’ top try
scorer this season with nine, continues to showcase his talent
at Number 8 whilst man-of-the-match against Grenoble Matt Symons
continues to impress in the second row.
A victory in France is enough to earn Harlequins a place in the
Challenge Cup quarter-finals and Head of Rugby Paul Gustard said
that is all the incentive the Club needs. “As a squad our
mindset and desire is always to win the next thing. Whether it
is the next scrum, the next maul, the next tackle or the next
carry – we want to win it. So our focus has been solely on
winning in Agen all week. Nothing else.
“We were not at our very best against Grenoble last weekend but
we still scored five tries and almost doubled the number of
points we scored compared with those conceded. We have now
scored 18 tries in our past five games so I am pleased with the
improvements we have made and the intent we have been showing in
attack allied to the defensive resolve we have illustrated all
season.
“Luke Wallace has earned his place in the starting XV through
his excellent attitude and application in training. He
consistently epitomises a team-first mentality irrespective of
selection. He has also impressed in the last two Premiership
Shield fixtures with his constant industry and ball pressure.
Chris Robshaw and James Horwill, our co-captains, were both very
close to being able to play in this fixture which is a timely
boost to the squad as we enter the final third of the season.
“The squad travels to France looking forward to the challenge of
securing our progression to the knockout stages of the Cup. We
are aware that destiny is in our hands and that we have a
platinum opportunity to continue developing momentum in our game
and performances.”
Harlequins XV to play Agen (kick-off: 18:45 GMT)
15. Mike Brown (309)
14. Nathan Earle (15)
13. Alofa Alofa (62)
12. Ben Tapuai (10)
11. Gabriel Ibitoye (13)
10. Marcus Smith (46)
9. Danny Care (Captain, 255)
1. Joe Marler (183)
2. Max Crumpton (13)
3. Will Collier (143)
4. Matt Symons (Vice-captain, 15)
5. George Merrick (93)
6. Jack Clifford (85)
7. Luke Wallace (167)
8. Alex Dombrandt (12)
Game Changers
16. Dave Ward (158)
17. Lewis Boyce (28)
18. Josh Ibuanokpe (4)
19. Mat Luamanu (72)
20. Renaldo Bothma (19)
21. Charlie Mulchrone (33)
22. James Lang (37)
23. Joe Marchant (72)
Not considered for selection
Rob Buchanan
Henry Cheeseman
James Chisholm
Ben Glynn
James Horwill
Mark Lambert
Paul Lasike
Josh McNulty
Cadan Murley
Chris Robshaw
Niall Saunders
Francis Saili
Kyle Sinckler
Tim Visser
Calum Waters
#Post#: 14840--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team's Up!
DIR By: WellingQuin
Date: January 17, 2019, 6:24 am
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"James Horwill, our co-captains, were both very close to being
able to play in this fixture which is a timely boost to the
squad as we enter the final third of the season."
Wow so we may be seeing Horwill return very soon.
#Post#: 14842--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team's Up!
DIR By: Everyone’s a Quinner
Date: January 17, 2019, 6:31 am
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Can see Luamanu doing bits for us coming off the bench from the
60th. Can imagine he’s chomping at the bit to make an impression
and what better way for the big man than to do it against the
French!
COYQ
#Post#: 14848--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team's Up!
DIR By: stoquin
Date: January 17, 2019, 6:53 am
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Great team so pleased Luke is starting and kind words about him
from Gussy. That might upset a few people on here.
#Post#: 14850--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team's Up!
DIR By: InsertQuinsPunHere
Date: January 17, 2019, 6:57 am
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It seems that Gustard is countering the fans' (our board's)
comments about Wallace in his statement! Fair play if he is.
A good team though. COYQ!
#Post#: 14851--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team's Up!
DIR By: TomBuckQuin
Date: January 17, 2019, 7:02 am
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--- Quote from: stoquin link ---
>
> Great team so pleased Luke is starting and kind words about
him from Gussy. That might upset a few people on here.
>
--- End Quote ---
I'm more than happy for Wallace to prove me wrong - not upset at
all! In an ideal world, every player in our squad would be
proving to us every single game that they are the best in their
position and deserve to start. Chaos for the selectors but great
for us to watch and would presumably bring Ws most of the time -
and that's all we, as fans, really care about!
#Post#: 14854--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team's Up!
DIR By: Boonie
Date: January 17, 2019, 7:27 am
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Decent looking team that! COYQ!!
#Post#: 14855--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team's Up!
DIR By: GP2110
Date: January 17, 2019, 7:49 am
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He's giving Wallace a chance to impress as he is being released
at the end of the season.
He will not be in the matchday squad for our next Gallaher
games.
#Post#: 14859--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team's Up!
DIR By: TomBuckQuin
Date: January 17, 2019, 9:06 am
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--- Quote from: GP2110 link ---
>
> He's giving Wallace a chance to impress as he is being
released at the end of the season.
>
> He will not be in the matchday squad for our next Gallaher
games.
>
--- End Quote ---
I don't think this is the thinking behind playing players that
he knows or even thinks he's releasing (whether or not Wallace
is one of those - none of us know who might or not still be in
with a chance of playing for a new contract). Merrick is playing
too - he's got no one to impress now that his move to Clermont
is signed, sealed, delivered. More likely this is evidence of
Gussy's rotation policy to keep everyone fresh and on their toes
- use the resources you have while you have them.
#Post#: 14862--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team's Up!
DIR By: Cookie
Date: January 17, 2019, 9:25 am
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I wouldn't discount Wallace just yet. With Clifford on England
duty, Robbo injured and Semi not pulling up too many trees (and
I don't think he's a 7 anyway), we're short at openside.
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