Preview: Harlequins v Northampton

Harlequins have named an unchanged team to host Northampton at Twickenham Stoop in the Aviva Premiership on Saturday.

Harlequins have named an unchanged starting line-up ahead of hosting Northampton at Twickenham Stoop in the Aviva Premiership on Saturday.

Although a little disappointed not to have walked away with four points last week in the opening game of the season, Quins will have been bolstered by their effort, something they will have to re-produce in abundance against Saints.

There are no changes to the team that played against Wasps last Saturday in the London Double Header and, once again, the team boasts an overwhelming contingent of Englishmen, with 12 in the starting line-up and 7 on the bench.

Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder says that the Northampton team that travels to Harlequins will have to be switched on right from the first whistle.

Northampton opened their Aviva Premiership campaign with a win over Leicester last Sunday, and while the Saints boss was pleased with the start he said that the trip to the Stoop represents a massive challenge for the team.

“Winning at home is always important but getting results away from home is vital if we're going to finish at the top end of the Premiership table,” he said.

“There were many aspects of last Sunday's performance that were pleasing, especially the first five minutes.

“But we'll have to do better against a Harlequins outfit that performed well against Wasps. Their team has an experienced backbone, especially at eight, nine and ten, and they have some exciting young talent too.”

Saints have not won a league match at the Stoop since Mallinder took charge three years ago, even though they won the 2009 European Challenge Cup.

“I don't know why we've had that record there,” Mallinder added.

“Harlequins have good facilities and a good surface and you can play rugby. Two years ago we played badly and lost. Last year we played badly and lost, but we got a bonus point, so we're actually going on an upward trend. Hopefully we can play a lot better this week, because we'll have to if we're going to get a win!”

Form: Harlequins have won just one of their last four encounters in the Premiership: 35-20 over Sale at the Twickenham Stoop on 8 May. Quins have in fact won their last five games at the venue in all competitions. Northampton Saints downed the reigning Premiership champions, Leicester Tigers, at Franklin's Gardens on Sunday, but have not begun a Premiership season with back to back victories since 2004/.05. The Saints have won three of their last four away games in the competition. The last four matches between the two clubs have been won by the home side on the day. Northampton have not beaten Harlequins at the Stoop since September 2004, but did win the 2009 European Challenge Cup there, beating Bourgoin 15-3.

The teams:

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

Northampton: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Bruce Reihana, 10 Shane Geraghty, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Phil Dowson, 5 Christian Day, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Dylan Hartley (capt), 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Brett Sharman, 17 Regardt Dreyer, 18 Euan Murray, 19 Calum Clark, 20 Mark Easter, 21 Stuart Commins, 22 Stephen Myler, 23 Joe Ansbro.

Date: Saturday, September 10
Venue: Twickenham Stoop
Kick-off: 13.30 BST (12.30 GMT)
Referee: Andrew Small