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Two changes for Harlequins for a game that has poignant dedication
By Liam Heagney
Defending champions Harlequins have welcomed club skipper Stephan Lewies back to the fold following injury for this Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership home clash with league leaders Leicester, a match dedicated to the late Seb Adeniran-Olule and the foundation set up in his name.
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Harlequins academny prop Adeniran-Olule tragically passed away in May 2016 at the age of 20 following a road traffic collision and Seb’s Foundation was set up by his mother in the aftermath. “This team and club is incredibly proud to be celebrating Seb’s Foundation,” explained senior coach Tabai Matson.
“This is a cause particularly close to all our hearts and we cannot emphasise enough what a fantastic job the foundation and Seb’s mom does raising funds to give young people opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have had.”
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On the pitch, the return of Lewies for the benched George Hammond is just one of two changes to the Harlequins XV following last weekend’s dramatic Heineken Champions Cup elimination at the hands of Montpellier. The other alteration sees flanker Luke Wallace back at No7 in place of the injured Will Evans.
Leicester, meanwhile, have made nine changes to the team that last week defeated Clermont at home to lock down a home European quarter-final versus Leinster. The changes are typified by a first Premiership start for Sean Jansen in what will be the No8’s third appearance for the club.
Joining him in the back back row is Olly Robinson, who is making a first start in what will be his sixth club appearance. Coach Steve Borthwick said: “We have a blend of experience and some players that are just coming into Leicester Tigers. I’m excited to see how the players go on Saturday. Harlequins are a dangerous team with multiple threats.”
HARLEQUINS: 15. Huw Jones; 14. Louis Lynagh, 13. Joe Marchant, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Cadan Murley; 10. Marcus Smith, 9. Danny Care; 1. Joe Marler, 2. Jack Walker, 3. Will Collier, 4. Matt Symons, 5. Hugh Tizard, 6. Stephan Lewies (capt), 7. Luke Wallace, 8. Alex Dombrandt. Reps: 16. Joe Gray, 17. Simon Kerrod, 18. Wilco Louw, 19. George Hammond, 20. James Chisholm, 21. Tom Lawday, 22. Lewis Gjaltema, 23. Nick David.
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LEICESTER: 15. Freddie Burns; 14. Harry Potter, 13. Matías Moroni, 12. Matt Scott, 11. Nemani Nadolo; 10. George Ford, 9. Ben Youngs; 1. Francois van Wyk, 2. Charlie Clare, 3. Joe Heyes, 4. Calum Green, 5. Eli Snyman, 6. Hanro Liebenberg (capt), 7. Olly Robinson, 8. Sean Jansen. Reps: 16. Tom Cowan-Dickie, 17. Ellis Genge, 18. Dan Cole, 19. Harry Wells, 20. Jasper Wiese, 21. Richard Wigglesworth, 22. Bryce Hegarty, 23. Chris Ashton.
