Karen Findlay and Gary Street have named the side that will take on Irish rivals Leinster Women for the first time at Big Game 12.
The friendly fixture, which will kick off shortly after Harlequins’ men’s team face Leicester Tigers at Twickenham, will see a host of international stars on both sides.
Irish trio Gill Bourke, Anna Caplice and Leah Lyons are named in the 22 to face many of their Irish teammates of past and present, as well as their former domestic rivals, from their Munster days.
Emily Scott again will captain the side, leading Harlequins Women out at Twickenham for a women’s club rugby first, with England internationals Rachael Burford, Shaunagh Brown, Jess Breach, and Leanne Riley named in the starting line-up.
Harlequins Women Co-Head Coach Karen Findlay said: “Playing at Big Game 12 is such a huge moment not only for our players, but for the game. It is an exciting challenge and one we are confident we will do justice to in what looks set to be one of the most competitive games of club rugby.
“Leinster is a side stooped in history and blessed with a plethora of talent, which we recognise and have pulled together a strong side ourselves with a collective of international caps and dominance on the women’s rugby stage to be able to combat Leinster’s many strengths.”
Harlequins Women starting XV
1 Gill Bourke
2 Amy Cokayne
3 Shaunagh Brown
4 Debs McCormack
5 Alice Sheffield
6 Anna Caplice
7 Giada Franco
8 Fiona Fletcher (VC)
9 Leanne Riley
10 Ellie Green
11 Jess Breach
12 Rachael Burford
13 Khadidja Camara
14 Heather Cowell
15 Emily Scott (C)
Game Changers
16 Leah Lyons
17 Chloe Edwards
18 Tove Viksten
19 Davinia Catlin
20 Lucy Packer
21 Victoria Petersson
22 Lydia Hartridge
Tickets to Big Game 12 are still available at www.eticketing.co.uk/rfu on Friday 27 December, and available at the Twickenham Stadium ticket office on Saturday 28 December.
