Harlequins Women’s Head Coach Amy Turner has named her side to make the trip to Shaftesbury Park on Saturday to face Bristol Bears in round 14 of the Allianz Premier 15s season.
Just a single point separates fifth place Harlequins and fourth place Bristol Bears, as the battle for playoff places continues. A win for Quins would put them into the top four, as the league pauses for the 2023 TikTok Women’s Six Nations.
In the front row, Springbok international Babalwa Latsha makes her first start for the Club at prop, alongside Hannah Sims. England Hooker and Quins co-captain Amy Cokayne starts at hooker, and will make her 50th appearance for the Club.
Following a collar bone injury to Scotland’s Sarah Bonar last weekend against Exeter in Big Game 14, Rosie Galligan returns to the second row and partners Wallaroo Kaitlan Leaney.
The back row remains unchanged from the trio who started last week’s game against Exeter, as Lauren Brooks and Emily Robinson start on the flanks, with Katy Mew wearing eight.
In the backs, co-captain Emily Scott starts at fly half following a strong performance last week in the ten jersey. Fresh from her call up to England’s Six Nations squad, Lagi Tuima starts at outside centre and Australian Bella McKenzie is at inside centre.
GB Sevens’ Heather Cowell makes her first appearance for Quins this season, returning from international duty to start on the right wing. Cowell’s fellow sevens colleague Lauren Torley retains her place on the left wing, with England’s Abby Dow at full back.
Amy Turner said: “This game is crucial for us in the wider context of our season, a win would put us in a strong position going into the Six Nations break. We’re excited to see Babalwa make her first start for Quins, and it’s great to have Heather back in the squad for the first time this season too.
“We allowed Exeter into the game early on last week, and that’s something we can’t afford to do against a side like Bristol. We know the threats they pose, so we have to start well and maintain momentum for the full 80 minutes. It’s important we do the basics well first, earn the right to attack and then unleash our speedsters out wide.”
Harlequins Starting XV
1. Hannah Sims
2. Amy Cokayne (cc)
3. Babalwa Latsha
4. Rosie Galligan
5. Kaitlan Leaney
6. Lauren Brooks
7. Emily Chancellor
8. Katy Mew
9. Lucy Packer
10. Emily Scott (cc)
11. Lauren Torley
12. Bella McKenzie
13. Lagi Tuima
14. Heather Cowell
15. Abby Dow
Impact Players
16. Rosie Dobson
17. Sheree Cooper
18. Nicole Wythe
19. Jenny Kronish
20. Emily Chancellor
21. Emma Swords
22. Beth Blacklock
23. Freya Aucken
With thanks to Harlequins
