Harlequins Head Coach Amy Turner has named her side to face Exeter Chiefs at Twickenham Stadium in Big Game 14 on Saturday.
Fourth place Harlequins host top of the table Exeter Chiefs in what promises to be an explosive afternoon of action both on and off the field.
Amy Cokayne co-captains the side from hooker, alongside prop Hannah Sims who was named in England’s Six Nations squad yesterday. Chloe Edwards completes the front row as Harlequins’ most capped Women’s player, having made her 100th appearance against Loughborough earlier this season.
Scottish international Sarah Bonar partners Wallaroo Kaitlan Leaney in an all-international second row, with England’s Rosie Galligan named amongst the Impact Players adding to an experienced engine room for Quins.
Emily Robinson returns to the Starting XV at openside, and will line up against a familiar face in Exeter scrum half Flo Robinson, her sister. Lauren Brooks and Katy Mew complete Harlequins’ back row, with Wallaroo Emily Chancellor named amongst the impact players and will look to impose her game in the latter stages of the match.
In the backs, England’s Lucy Packer lines up alongside co-captain Emily Scott at scrum half and fly half respectively. The dynamic centre partnership of Bella McKenzie and Lagi Tuima will hope to light up Twickenham Stadium, bringing physicality and flare to Harlequins’ midfield.
GB 7s flyer Lauren Torley and England’s Abby Dow start on the wings, with Freya Aucken moving to fullback. Beth Wilcock returns from injury and is named amongst the Impact Players, bringing pace to the field when the game breaks up in the second half.
Amy Turner said “Last week’s victory over Sale has put us into a good place going into what is an exciting weekend for the whole Club. Exeter are top of the league and bring a strong all round game, we’re expecting a physical encounter and the players have trained hard this week on a six day turn around.
Commenting on playing at Twickenham, the national side’s 80,000 capacity home stadium, Turner said: “We’re proud to be the only team in the Allianz Premier 15s to host an event like this, putting Women’s rugby on the biggest stage. There’s definitely a buzz around the group, the players can’t wait to get out in front of the fans and put on a show.”
Harlequins Starting XV
1. Hannah Sims
2. Amy Cokayne (cc)
3. Chloe Edwards
4. Kaitlan Leaney
5. Sarah Bonar
6. Lauren Brooks
7. Emily Robinson
8. Katy Mew
9. Lucy Packer
10. Emily Scott (cc)
11. Lauren Torley
12. Bella McKenzie
13. Lagi Tuima
14. Abby Dow
15. Freya Aucken
Impact Players
16. Rosie Dobson
17. Sheree Cooper
18. Babalwa Latsha
19. Rosie Galligan
20. Emily Chancellor
21. Emma Swords
22. Beth Blacklock
23. Beth Wilcock
With thanks to Harlequins
