Preview: Harlequins v Exeter

Chris Robshaw and Will Skinner will both celebrate their 100th appearance for Quins against Exeter at the Stoop on Saturday.

Harlequins back-row duo Chris Robshaw and Will Skinner will both celebrate their 100th appearance against Exeter at Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.

There are a handful of changes to the side that started against Sale Sharks last Friday at Edgeley Park. After impressing in the opening three games of the season, 20-year-old Joe Marler will make his starting debut for Quins.

In the forwards, Marler comes into the front row to combine with Matt Cairns and James Johnston, while Nick Easter reverts to his familiar number eight position. Ollie Kohn returns to partner Tomas Vallejos in the second row.

In the backs, Quins fans will welcome the return of Danny Care who was a late withdrawal from the Sale game. Gonzalo Camacho, who impressed after coming on for the injured Tom Williams last Friday, starts on the wing.

On the bench, 19-year-old English qualified Ross Chisholm, who can play any position across the back three, makes his first Premiership appearance in the Quins shirt.

Meanwhile, Exeter Chiefs Head Coach Rob Baxter has handed Matt Jess his first start.

Having picked an unchanged starting XV for the club's first three top flight games this term, Baxter has been forced into change for this weekend's encounter as centre Phil Dollman misses out because of a shoulder injury.

Dollman's absence will certainly be considered a loss for the league newcomers, but at the same time it offers 26-year-old Jess his first opportunity to show his worth.

Ahead of kick-off, Baxter has little concern about putting Jess – who has scored 150 points for the club, including 14 tries last season – into his side for the club's trip to the capital.

“Matt's had a very good pre-season and done very well, this is just a fantastic opportunity for him,” said Baxter.

The loss of Dollman means Baxter has been forced to tinker slightly with his back division as Jess comes in on the right wing with Frenchman Nic Sestaret switching inside to partner Bryan Rennie in the visiting midfield.

“Nic moves to 13, so that is nothing new for him,” added Baxter.

“He played a lot of rugby there for us last season and was very effective. Jessy played a full part on the wing last season, so we're very confident with that line-up. They've played a lot of rugby together, which is key for us because one of our key fundamentals has been that we've been fairly settled so far this season.

“What Jessy does bring is a bit of extra pace, which I think will be very valuable to us up at Harlequins. It's great forJessy being in there having a start and he thoroughly deserves it, not just for the work he did in pre-season but the good work he put in last season and the season before. He's a key part of what we're about here.”

Baxter,is duly cautious of the rival threat and has told his troops to prepare accordingly, whilst at the same time look to continue their own good form.

“We went to Leicester in a very similar situation when they'd lost their opening game – and that doesn't happen very often,” said the Exeter coach.
“Harlequins have got themselves in a position right now they're not comfortable with, but at the same time that doesn't really alter the game for us.

Form: Harlequins are still winless in Aviva Premiership Rugby this season, but have picked up league points in all three games so far. Quins' defeat to Northampton in their most recent home game ended a run of five successive victories at the Twickenham Stoop. Exeter Chiefs' three outings so far have all been won by the home side on the day. The two teams met twice when they were both in National One in season 2005/06, with each side winning its respective home game.

The teams:

Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Gonzalo Camacho, 13 Ollie Smith, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 George Lowe, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Will Skinner, 6 Chris Robshaw (c), 5 Tomas Vallejos, 4 Ollie Kohn, 3 James Johnston, 2 Matt Cairns, 1 Joe Marler,
Replacements: 16 Chris Brooker, 17 Ceri Jones, 18 Mark Lambert, 19 Pete Brown, 20 Tom Guest, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Ross Chisholm.

Exeter: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Matt Jess, 13 Nic Sestaret, 12 Bryan Rennie, 11 Mark Foster, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Haydn Thomas, 8 James Phillips, 7 James Scaysbrook, 6 Tom Johnson, 5 James Hanks, 4 Tom Hayes (c), 3 Hoani Tui, 2 Neil Clark, 1 Brett Sturgess.
Replacements:16 Simon Alcott, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Chris Budgen, 19 Dave Gannon, 20 Chad Slade, 21 Junior Poluleuligaga, 22 Ryan Davis, 23 Paul McKenzie.

Date: Saturday, September 25
Venue: Twickenham Stoop
Kick-off: 15.00 BST (14.00 GMT)
Referee: Sean Davey