With Borthwick favourite Mitchell now laid up, Saturday’s script was for the long lycra-sleeved Spencer to produce a show of force to suggest he would be a worthy of an England starter versus the All Blacks on November 2. Instead, the short-sleeved, socks around the ankles Randall – and Bristol – stole his thunder with a 36-26 win.
The PA news agency looks at the 10 runners and riders, including player signings and departures
In just a few days another season of the Top 14 kicks off with the likes of Owen Farrell, Siya Kolisi, Josua Tuisova, and Davit Niniashvili making the numbers of the overseas players ready to make the headlines and wrestle for the title.
The London club are currently in sixth place in the Gallagher Premiership ahead of Saturday’s final-round home match versus Bristol, a game that will be used to farewell their leavers in front of the fans.
Harlequins have confirmed a 68-man senior squad - consisting of 43 senior players and bolstered by 25 from the club’s senior academy - for the upcoming 2022/23 season.
It was advantage to the Southern Hemisphere after a 4-0 whitewash in week one of the summer Tests and the pressure is on the North to respond
Harlequins have explained the absence of both England 10 Marcus Smith and James Chisholm after the pair tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of their Big Game 13 meeting with Northampton Saints.
Georgian referee Nika Amashukeli is set for a Champions Cup baptism of fire when he takes charge of Castres versus Harlequins on Sunday.
Sale boss Alex Sanderson was uncomplimentary about Harlequins on Wednesday and the London club's assistant Adam Jones has now issued a reply.