Preview: Harlequins v Northampton

Jim Mallinder insists that Northampton will have plenty of respect for Harlequins when the clubs go head-to-head at the Stoop on Saturday.

Director of rugby Jim Mallinder insists that the Northampton Saints team will have plenty of respect for Harlequins when the clubs go head-to-head in the Guinness Premiership at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.

Although the Saints go into the Guinness Premiership Round 15 game in the league's top four, memories are still fresh of the same fixture last season, which Harlequins won comfortably 27-6.

However the Twickenham Stoop was also the scene for the Saints' European Challenge Cup victory, and it is this result that Mallinder wants emulated on Saturday.

“We were well beaten at the Stoop last year and were very disappointed with our performance that afternoon,” he said. “So we're looking for a big improvement on that tomorrow.

“It is important that we keep on winning to stay in the top four. The Guinness Premiership is a very competitive league and there are plenty of teams coming into form ready to capitalise if we slip up.”

Meanwhile, Quins welcome captain Will Skinner, England team member Chris Robshaw and Tom Williams back into the starting line-up

There are five changes to the starting line-up that faced Gloucester last Saturday at Kingsholm.

In the forwards, Skinner returns to take back the Captaincy from the covering Mike Brown, who did a fine job leading the side over the last three weeks. The Quins flanker joins once again with Robshaw to strengthen the pack, along with John Andress who returns to the front row.

There are just two changes in the backs. Tom Williams returns from injury and with the absence of Gonzalo Tiesi, George Lowe starts this week, not on the wing but in the centres.

Form: Saints won 26-17 when the two teams met at Franklin's Gardens in November, whilst Northampton return to the Stoop for the first time since they beat Bourgoin there, 15-3, in the final of the European Challenge Cup in May 2009. Harlequins' only win in their last nine matches in all competitions since early December was 16-13 at London Irish in the LV= Cup on 31 January. Quins' have won just once at the Twickenham Stoop since October: 35-29 over Gloucester in the Guinness Premiership on 28 November. Northampton Saints' impressive run of 13 victories from their last 14 games continued at home to Newcastle on Saturday. The Saints have won their last six matches in the Guinness Premiership and another victory will tie Northampton's best ever run in the competition, set in season 1999/2000.

The teams:

Harlequins:15 Mike Brown, 14 David Strettle, 13 George Lowe, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Tom Williams, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Karl Dickson, 8 Tom Guest, 7 Will Skinner (c), 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 Lewis Stevenson, 4 James Percival, 3 John Andress, 2 Chris Brooker, 1 Ceri Jones.
Replacements: 16 Matt Cairns, 17 Aston Croall, 18 James Johnston, 19 Tomas Vallejos, 20 Chris York, 21 Steve So'oialo, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Sam Smith.

Northampton:15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Paul Diggin, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Phil Dowson (c), 7 Neil Best, 6 Courtney Lawes, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Brett Sharman, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Andy Long, 17 Brian Mujati 18 Darren Morris, 19 Mark Easter, 20 Scott Gray, 21 Alan Dickens, 22 Shane Geraghty, 23 Chris Mayor.

Date: Saturday, February 20
Venue: Twickenham Stoop
Kick-off: 15.00 GMT