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Chris Ashton returns for Harlequins in his 'Toulon position'

04 Dec 2020

Chris Ashton /Getty Images

Harlequins Head of Rugby Paul Gustard has named the team to travel to Gloucester this weekend as Chris Ashton returns to fitness to start at fullback, his position of choice at Toulon.

Returning to fitness, Ashton starts in the fullback jersey in place of the rested Mike Brown, alongside wingers Cadan Murley and Nathan Earle, in an otherwise unchanged backline from the side that travelled to Northampton.

“It’s great to see Chris Ashton, like James, return from injury this week. We’re looking forward to seeing him play in the absence of one of our standout performers last week in Mike Brown, who is rested this week against Gloucester,” said Harlequins boss Gustard.

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Ashton excelled at fullback for Toulon, breaking the Top 14 season try record, largely from 15.

Harlequins travel to Gloucester in the search for back-to-back wins at Kingsholm Stadium, having claimed a 28-15 win in round 20 of the 2019/20 season earlier this year.

Number eight Alex Dombrandt leads the side once more with regular Club captain Stephan Lewies narrowly missing out through injury, with the back row having captained Quins during a record-breaking 49-29 victory over Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens last weekend.

In the pack, flanker James Chisholm is rotated into the side at blindside having featured from the bench last time out, with Tom Lawday rotating into the side’s Impact Players this weekend.

Also amongst the Impact Players, Samoa international hooker Elia Elia returns to the matchday 23 having served a suspension for receiving a red card against Wasps towards the end of the 2019/20 season.

“Stephan Lewies just misses out on selection this time around due to injury. In his absence, we felt that Alex [Dombrandt] did a magnificent job captaining the team in a good performance last weekend against Northampton Saints, so he will once again wear the captain’s arm band,” said Gustard. “James Chisholm is rotated in at six for the outstanding Tom Lawday, who moves to the Impact Players on rotation as James continues his rehabilitation from the injury that ruled him out of the final two games of last season.

Harlequins Starting XV:
1.Santiago Garcia Botta (24)
2.Scott Baldwin (20)
3. Wilco Louw (6)
4. Matt Symons (46)
5. Glen Young (22)
6. James Chisholm (98)
7. Will Evans (23)
8. Alex Dombrandt (54) – Captain
9. Danny Care (285)
10. Marcus Smith (88)
11. Cadan Murley (36)
12. Andre Esterhuizen (7)
13. Luke Northmore (10)
14. Nathan Earle (32)
15. Chris Ashton (6)

Impact Players:
16. Elia Elia (54)
17. Jordan Els (4)
18. Simon Kerrod (30)
19. Hugh Tizard (2)
20. Tom Lawday (20)
21. Scott Steele (8)
22. Tyrone Green (1)
23. Paul Lasike (26)

Unavailable for selection:
Joe Marler, Joe Marchant

Unavailable due to injury:
Joe Gray, George Head, Craig Trenier, Will Collier, Dino Lamb, Tevita Cavubati, Stephan Lewies, Martin Landajo, Brett Herron, Michele Campagnaro, Aaron Morris

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 21 hours ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 21 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 22 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 22 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 22 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 22 hours ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 22 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 22 hours ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 22 hours ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 23 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 23 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 23 hours ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 23 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 23 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 23 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 23 hours ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 23 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 23 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍