Source: Harlequins

Harlequins Name Women’s Big Game Squad

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Harlequins Women have named their side to face Gloucester-Hartpury at Twickenham Stadium in Big Game 15.

Head Coach Amy Turner makes five changes to the side that fell short to Exeter Chiefs three weeks ago at The Stoop, as Quins look to rebuild momentum going into the new year.

In the front-row, Red Roses hooker Connie Powell returns to the side for the first time since the second round of the Allianz PWR having recovered from a knock she sustained against Sale. Props Hannah Sims and Bryony Cleall will bring their physicality around the park as well as at set piece as they join Powell in the front-row.

Springbok Women’s Danelle Lochner makes her first start for Quins as she’s named in the second-row alongside Wallaroo Kaitlan Leaney in the engine room. Scottish international Sarah Bonar shifts to the flank and joins Abbie Fleming and Quins stalwart Shaunagh Brown in a dynamic back-row.

In the backs Emily Scott returns to her familiar position of fly-half and will partner Flo Robinson who will take to the field for her first Big Game in a Quins jersey, having represented Exeter Chiefs in Big Game 14 earlier this year.

Rachael Burford captains the side from 12 and is joined in the midfield by Lagi Tuima. Izzy Mayhew returns to the Starting XV on the right wing, with Beth Wilcock on the left and England international Ellie Kildunne at fullback.

It’s a welcome return from injury for Lucy Packer, who is named amongst the replacements and is set to make her first Harlequins appearance of the season.

Commenting on Gloucester-Hartpury, attack coach Ross Chisholm said: “They’ve gone brilliantly well of course winning it last season, they’ve got a strong squad who are well coached so it’s going to be a great game and hopefully a great occasion.

“We know we’ve got to go out there and put a performance out there and let the result take care of itself. It’s an occasion that we’re really up for as a group and a really exciting opportunity.”

Harlequins Starting XV
1. Hannah Sims
2. Connie Powell
3. Bryony Cleall
4. Danelle Lochner
5. Kaitlan Leaney
6. Sarah Bonar
7. Abbie Fleming
8. Shaunagh Brown

9. Flo Robinson
10. Emily Scott (vc)
11. Beth Wilcock
12. Rachael Burford (c)
13. Lagi Tuima
14. Izzy Mayhew
15. Ellie Kildunne

Impact Players
16. Carys Phillips
17. Silvia Turani
18. Babalwa Latsha
19. Nicole Wythe
20. Ciara Cooney
21. Lucy Packer
22. Ella Cromack
23. Freya Aucken

With thanks to Harlequins