Unbeaten Quins get a Worcester warning

GERARD MULLEN has insisted his unbeaten Harlequins will have to be at their ‘very best’ to come away from Sixways Stadium with a win.

Worcester enter the contest buoyed by a lastgasp victory over Bristol a week ago, when Sarah Nicholas was the hero off the kicking tee to spare Warriors from sharing the points.

And while that piece of individual skill clinched the win in the final minute, Quins head coach Mullen cited Warriors’ defensive efforts over the course of the match as what stood out to him.

“I’ve been really impressed with what I’ve seen from Worcester this season,” said Mullen.

“They seem to be a well-coached team with good defensive pressure and a well drilled setpiece, so we will have to be at our very best to come away with a win.”

Harlequins are boosted by the return of forwards Leah Lyons and Bethan Dainton to their bench, as Mullen’s side seek to maintain their unblemished record of eight bonus-point victories from eight matches.

Anna Caplice will earn her first start of the season on the blindside flank, while Kristine Sommer will partner Abbie Ward in the engine room after lock Fiona Fletcher was ruled out.

For the hosts, centre Meg Varley will start to mark her 50th appearance for her girlhood club, as Jo Yapp names two changes.

Scrum-half Caity Mattinson is selected in place of Brooke Bradley and a reshuffle to the back three means Hannah Bluck makes her Premier 15s debut on the wing, as Vicky Laflin shifts to full-back as cover for Abi Kershaw.