HARLEQUINS ANNOUNCE SQUAD TO PLAY CLERMONT AUVERGNE (A)
Friday, 19th April 2019 @ 12:00
ROB BUCHANAN RETURNS TO THE SENIOR SQUAD FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE SEPTEMBER 2017 AFTER BATTLING BACK FROM A SHOULDER INJURY TO FACE CLERMONT AUVERGNE IN THIS SATURDAY'S EUROPEAN RUGBY CHALLENGE CUP SEMI-FINAL (KICK-OFF: 21:00 LOCAL TIME).
The Hooker will be joined in the front row by the returning Joe Marler and Tighthead Prop Kyle Sinckler.
In the second row, Ben Glynn replaces James Horwill who misses out on possible selection through injury. Glynn is partnered by the consistently impressive Matt Symons. The back row continue their partnerships with the talent of Semi Kunatani taking his place once again as a Game Changer.
In the back three Ross Chisholm and Charlie Walker come in for Nathan Earle and Cadan Murley respectively, both of whom were injured last weekend with an otherwise unchanged backline.
Amongst the Game Changers Elia Elia is named for the first time after recovering from injury since the quarter-final victory over Worcester Warriors at the end of March alongside Nick Auterac and Josh Ibuanokpe.
Stan South makes a welcome return to the match squad following his endeavours in the Premiership Rugby Shield.
Harlequins Head Coach Paul Gustard commented: "We're delighted to welcome Rob Buchanan back to the team. He has shown incredible resilience and strength of character to be back playing elite rugby. He is a hugely popular member of the squad as well as being a very talented player and his availability is a positive boost for the team as we enter the last couple of months of the season. His selection is testament primarily to his extraordinary determination to play as well as the efforts of our medical team, in particular Elliot Clarke.
"This is our first semi-final in three years, and we are relishing the opportunity to go out and perform against Clermont at their home. Stade Marcel Michelin is an awesome place to play and it will be an experience to savour. We are under no illusions of the challenge and quality they will put forward but behind all the noise, all the hype, all the current form are two teams on a piece of a grass with some sticks and 80 minutes between them and a spot in a final.
"We will go into the game as big underdogs with the chance to make our own history. This is what European rugby is all about and we're really looking forward to the contest."
Harlequins squad to play Clermont Auvergne in the European Challenge Cup Semi-Final (Saturday 20th April, Stade Marcel Michelin, kick-off: 21:00 local time)
15 Mike Brown (318)
14 Ross Chisholm (100)
13 Alofa Alofa (69)
12 Ben Tapuai (19)
11 Charlie Walker (93)
10 Marcus Smith (55)
9 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (2)
1 Joe Marler (189)
2 Rob Buchanan (119)
3 Kyle Sinckler (135)
4 Matt Symons (22)
5 Ben Glynn (40)
6 Alex Dombrandt (20)
7 Chris Robshaw (Captain, 271)
8 Jack Clifford (94)
Game Changers
16 Elia Elia (33)
17 Nic Auterac (9)
18 Josh Ibuanokpe (9)
19 Stan South (27)
20 Semi Kunatani (
21 Niall Saunders (6)
22 James Lang (44)
23 Francis Saili (22)
Not Considered for Selection
Front Row
Lewis Boyce
Will Collier
Max Crumpton
Mark Lambert
Josh McNulty
Second Row
James Horwill
Dino Lamb
Back Row
James Chisholm
Half Backs
Danny Care
Dave Lewis
Charlie Mulchrone
Centres
Henry Cheeseman
Paul Lasike
Joe Marchant
Wingers
Nathan Earle
Gabriel Ibitoye
Cadan Murley
Fullbacks
Aaron Morris