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Challenge Cup 18/19 - Semi-Finals

TRF_Olyy

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Same here. I think we would have needed our first choice 23 fit and firing to be in with a chance so an awful run of form and the injuries to Marler, Marchant and Earle make a win very unlikely. We need to put in a far better performance than we have in some time and hope Clermont have a massive stinker. I'm not sure which is the more likely of the two?
 
Two Frenchies for me as both quins and sale looking at top 4 to 6 as big cup next year.
Expect both to play sub strength teams either through injury or choice.
Devaluing comp but totally understandable.
 
Nah, we're sending full strength
Missing a few through injuries and RJVRs ban, but we're not throwing in the towel before it's even started
 
I expect Quins to do the same.
 
STARTING XV: 15. Luke James; 14. Denny Solomona, 13. Sam James, 12. James O'Connor, 11. Chris Ashton; 10. AJ MacGinty, 9. Faf de Klerk; 1. Ross Harrison, 2. Rob Webber, 3. WillGriff John, 4. Josh Beaumont, 5. James Phillips, 6. Ben Curry, 7. Tom Curry, 8. Jono Ross (capt.)
REPLACMENTS: 16. Curtis Langdon, 17. Tom Bristow, 18. Joe Jones, 19. Matt Postlethwaite, 20. Sam Moore, 21. Will Cliff, 22. Cameron Redpath, 23. Arron Reed




Ashton and JOC back eases the injury crisis in the backs,
Back row is light though, with Strauss injured and Evans/Ostrikov injuries meaning Beaumont has to go to lock
Very green bench, as well - 5 of 8 in the senior academy
 
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
 
Given he injuries we have, that is the strongest side we can field.

Glad to see we're going for it, even if I doubt we have enough quality to pull off an upset.
 
@Tigs Man just seen an old school Tigers shirt in the crowd, nice of you to lend us fan to make our numbers more respectable
 
Was just thinking that. Very weird it's in the graphic too aha.

Maybe like when Toby ----> talupe faletau. Just got bored and wanted to spice it up
 
Soft as ****, that

Definite penalty but he's gone down like a footballer there - never a yellow
 

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