Harlequins Head Coach Amy Turner has named her side to face Saracens at StoneX Stadium in the opening match of the 2023/24 Allianz Cup.
Quins stalwart Emily Robinson is set to make her 50th appearance for the Club and will co-captain the side from flanker.
In the front-row, props Sheree Cooper and Bryony Cleall are joined by Hannah Owen who will make her Harlequins debut at hooker.
Lucy Thorpe is partnered by Emma Wedervang in the second-row, with Wedervang also making her Quins debut having been announced as a development player earlier this week.
Captain Emily Robinson is joined by exciting young flanker Lucy Heryet in the back-row, with Shaunagh Brown making her return to the Harlequins starting 15, having come out of retirement this summer to re-join the Club.
In the backs, Freya Aucken starts at scrum-half alongside experienced co-captain Emily Scott who will look to control the game from ten.
In the centres, Lauren Fisher makes her first Harlequins appearance at 12, linking up with former Pulborough teammate Izzy Mayhew for the first time since playing community rugby.
Jade Mullen is named at fullback having returned to Quins over the summer, and will be joined in the back three by Katie Shillaker and debutant Amy Layzell on the wings.
Three more Quins will look to make their debut off the bench, as Phoebe Wheadon, Chloe Benjamin and exciting fly-half Ella Cromack are named amongst the Impact Players.
Harlequins Head Coach Amy Turner said: “We’re excited to kick-off the season with a game under the lights at StoneX Stadium on Saturday night. It’s been a long preseason, everyone is itching to play some rugby and what better way to kick-off our season than with a London derby.
“We’ve got a real blend of youth and experience in our side, and this is a fantastic opportunity for some of those new faces to show what they can do in a Quins shirt.”
Harlequins Starting XV:
1. Sheree Cooper
2. Hannah Owen
3. Bryony Cleall
4. Lucy Thorpe
5. Emma Wedervang
6. Lucy Heryet
7. Emily Robinson (cc)
8. Shaunagh Brown
9. Freya Aucken
10. Emily Scott (cc)
11. Amy Layzell
12. Lauren Fisher
13. Izzy Mayhew
14. Katie Shillaker
15. Jade Mullen
Impact Players:
16. Phoebe Wheadon
17. Jessie Spurrier
18. Hannah Duffy
19. Chloe Benjamin
20. Nicole Wythe
21. Grace Clavering
22. Ella Cromack
23. Georgia Gray
With thanks to Harlequins
