Harlequins Head Coach Ross Chisholm has named his side for the trip to Cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, in Quins’ final away fixture of the year.
The front-row is unchanged with Italy’s Silvia Turani at loosehead Prop. Connie Powell is in at hooker and will be looking to continue her try scoring, benefitting from Quins’ powerful driving maul. Lizzie Hanlon completes the front-row at tighthead following her try in round eight against Trailfinders Women.
Welsh international Abbie Fleming and Wallaroo Kaitlan Leaney are alongside each other again in the second-row, with Nicole Wythe and Alex Callender on the flanks, and Captain Jade Konkel wearing eight.
Freya Aucken remains at nine, with Kayleigh Powell as her halfback partner following her first try in the Quarters in the previous round. Lagi Tuima will be offering her usual all-court game at inside centre, as she’s joined in the midfield by Spanish speedster Clàudia Peña at 13.
It’s an electric back three as usual, with Welsh winger Lisa Neumann starting at 11. She’s joined by Beth Wilcock on the other wing, who’s scored three tries in two games since her return from injury. Ellie Kildunne is in the side at fullback, ready to inject her pace and dynamism into the team.
Harlequins Women Forwards and Transition Coach Steve Halsey said: “Lightning are a side that are going to come with some big threats, defensively we’re going to have to be on it because we know they’re a very good and very dangerous side.”
Harlequins Starting XV 15. Ellie Kildunne 14. Beth Wilcock 13. Clàudia Peña 12.Lagi Tuima 11. Lisa Neumann 10.Kayleigh Powell 9. Freya Aucken 1.Silvia Turani 2. Connie Powell 3.Lizzie Hanlon 4. Abbie Fleming 5.Kaitlan Leaney 6. Nicole Wythe 7.Alex Callender 8. Jade Konkel (c)
Impact Players 16. Carys Phillips 17. Jessie Spurrier 18. Laura Delgado 19. Danelle Lochner 20. Sarah Bonar 21. Emma Swords 22. Sarah Parry 23. Maja Meuller
With thanks to Harlequins
