European Rugby Champions Cup: Harlequins v Leinster preview
By Ben Hampshire | @BH92
Last Updated: 06/12/14 3:28pm
Harlequins and Leinster will put their unbeaten European Rugby Champions Cup records on the line on Sunday as they meet in a mouthwatering clash at The Stoop.
Triumphs over Castres and Wasps in the opening rounds see the pair enter Round Three locked on eight points apiece at the Pool 2 summit.
With the culmination of the autumn series last weekend it is a timely meeting for the sides, with an array of international talent on display.
Three-time European champions Leinster travel to London on Sunday before a rematch at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin the following week and this double-header is likely to determine the outcome of the pool.
Leinster and Harlequins have met just once in Europe before, with Leinster claiming a 6-5 victory in a dour 2008/09 Heineken Cup semi-final.
However, we can expect a much more free-flowing affair this time around given the quality of attacking options for both sides.
Quins director of rugby Conor O’Shea is delighted to have his England contingent back and full-back Mike Brown and winger Marland Yarde return to the starting XV, with Aseli Tikoiotuma completing the back three.
Experience
After chalking up his 50th England cap during the autumn, Danny Care joins Nick Evans in the half-backs, while Matt Hopper and George Lowe form the centre combination.
Leinster are also boosted by the return of several Ireland internationals, with influential No 8 Jamie Heaslip back to lead the province.
Livewire scrum-half Eoin Reddan forms an axis partnership with Jimmy Gopperth, while versatile back Ian Madigan teams up with the experience Gordon D’Arcy in midfield.
After committing his future to the province during the autumn Rob Kearney starts at full-back for Leinster, with Darragh Fanning and Luke Fitzgerald posted on the wings in a potent back three.
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown; 14 Marland Yarde, 13 Matt Hopper, 12 George Lowe, 11 Aseli Tikoirotuma; 10 Nick Evans, 9 Danny Care; 1 Joe Marler (capt), 2 Dave Ward, 3 Will Collier; 4 Charlie Matthews, 5 George Robson; 6 Luke Wallace, 7 Chris Robshaw, 8 Nick Easter
Replacements: 16 Joe Gray, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Sam Twomey, 20 Jack Clifford, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Tim Swiel, 23 Tom Casson
Leinster: 15 Rob Kearney; 14 Darragh Fanning, 13 Gordon D’Arcy, 12 Ian Madigan, 11 Luke Fitzgerald; 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Eoin Reddan; 1 Jack McGrath, 2 Sean Cronin, 3 Mike Ross; 4 Devin Toner, 5 Mike McCarthy; 6 Rhys Ruddock, 7 Jordi Murphy, 8 Jamie Heaslip (capt)
Replacements: 16 Bryan Byrne, 17 Michael Bent, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Kane Douglas, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Isaac Boss, 22 Noel Reid, 23 Zane Kirchner