Harding handed his first Bears start of the campaign
FITZ Harding is set for his first outing of the season when Bristol Bears travel to the Premiership champions tonight (7.45pm).
The academy graduate is one of three changes to the side which overcame Bath 25-20 at Ashton Gate last Friday.
In the backline, Niyi Adeolokun returns as the only change, while Jake Kerr comes into the front row following his try-scoring cameo in the West Country derby.
Chris Vui switches back into the second row with Harding lining up alongside Jake Heenan and skipper Steven Luatua in the back row.
Hooker Harry Thacker returns to fitness to be included among the replacements for the round four Gallagher Premiership clash.
Marcus Smith is ready to launch his quest to continue as England’s fly-half after being picked on Harlequins’ bench for tonight’s game.
Smith was called up by the British & Irish Lions midway through their tour to South Africa and played once against the Stormers on July 17, just a week after winning his second England cap when facing Canada at Twickenham.
Having completed his mandatory post-Lions tour break, he will supply playmaker cover for Tommy Allan at Twickenham Stoop if he makes his season debut in a repeat of last term’s thrilling Premiership semi-final.
The 22-year-old has been
included in England’s squad for the autumn at the expense of George Ford, pointing to his involvement in the Tests against Tonga, Australia and South Africa.
Refreshed after a bye week, Quins have named an unchanged starting XV after edging Worcester 35-29 a fortnight earlier, with Smith coming in for Huw Jones the only adjustment to the bench.
Previewing the fixture, senior Harlequins coach Tabai Matson said: “The last two weeks have allowed us some great preparation time ahead of Friday. We’ve had two great, yet challenging, bonuspoint wins to start our campaign.
“The bye-week last week probably came at a good time for us. We had a couple of games and then reset. We’re excited to get back out there. We’ve had some great sessions
this week and we’re now starting a five-game block with a great encounter with Bristol.
“We’ve spoken a bit this week about that semi-final last season. We know that will probably have been a pebble under Bristol’s beach towel over the summer. This is the first time we’ve faced them since that game and we know it’s going to be as important a game for us as it
is for them. This should be a fantastic encounter with two sides who play a massively positive brand of rugby. It’s an exciting fixture and I know our fans are probably just as eager as we are to see a blockbuster game under the Friday night lights.” Harlequins: Tyrone Green; Louis Lynagh, Joe Marchant, Andre Esterhuizen, Cadan Murley; Tommy Allan, Danny Care; Joe Marler, Jack Walker, Simon Kerrod, Matt Symons, Dino Lamb, Tom Lawday, Jack
Bristol Bears: Charles Piutau; Niyi Adeolokun, Piers O’Conor, Sam Bedlow, Henry Purdy; Callum Sheedy, Harry Randall; Yann Thomas, Jake Kerr, Kyle Sinckler, Joe Joyce, Chris Vui, Fitz Harding, Jake Heenan, Steven Luatua (capt).
Replacements: Harry Thacker, Jake Woolmore, Max Lahiff, Ed Holmes, Dan Thomas, Andy Uren, Ioan Lloyd, Alapati Leiua.