Harlequins have named their side to face Loughborough Lightning on Saturday, as Amy Turner’s side look to make it three wins from three in the Allianz Cup.
The front-row remains unchanged from the side who toppled league newcomers Trailfinders Women at The Stoop two weeks ago. One change to the second-row sees Chloe Benjamin earn her first start in the Quarters, alongside Lucy Thorpe in the engine room.
Emily Robinson will co-captain the side from flanker in the week she was formally announced as one of the squad’s vice-captains. Robinson is joined by Nicole Wythe and Shaunagh Brown to complete a physical back-row trio.
Freya Aucken and Emily Scott pair up once again as half-backs, Scott again named as co-captain having also been announced as a vice-captain for the season ahead.
It’s a welcome return to the side for Lagi Tuima, as the England centre is set to make her first appearance of the season. Tuima is partnered by Amy Layzell in the centres, with Layzell shifting to the midfield from the wing.
Two more changes feature in the back three, as GB 7s flyer Lauren Torley and the powerful Beth Wilcock return to the side for the first time this season. An exciting back three is completed by Katie Shillaker, whose performances in the opening two Cup fixtures saw her named as The RPA’s 15 Under 23 MVP Of The Month for September.
Rosie Dobson is set to play her first game of the season having been named amongst the Impact Players. Just one player is set to make their debut this week, Tyla Shirley will wear 20 as she earns her first Harlequins cap off the bench.
Head Coach Amy Turner said “We’re really pleased to have two bonus-point wins under our belt in the Allianz Cup. We gave the players a bit of time off at the end of last week and they’ve come back in this week hungry to push on in these final two cup games of this block.
“Loughborough play an exciting brand of rugby built on a strong set-piece game. We came up against them in the Cup playoffs last season and fell just short, so we’re looking to right the wrongs of that game and build on the performances of the last fortnight.”
Harlequins Starting XV
1. Jessie Spurrier
2. Hannah Owen
3. Bryony Cleall
4. Lucy Thorpe
5. Chloe Benjamin
6. Nicole Wythe
7. Emily Robinson (Co-Captain)
8. Shaunagh Brown
9. Freya Aucken
10. Emily Scott (Co-Captain)
11. Beth Wilcock
12. Lagi Tuima
13. Amy Layzell
14. Katie Shillaker
15. Lauren Torley
Impact Players
16. Rosie Dobson
17. Sheree Cooper
18. Hannah Duffy
19. Lucy Hereyt
20. Tyla Shirley
21. Grace Clavering
22. Ella Cromack
23. Georgia Gray
With thanks to Harlequins
