Harlequins v Exeter Chiefs: Quins host Chiefs in repeat of 2021 final
GLOUCESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 02: Danny Care of Harlequins scores his side's second try during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Gloucester Rugby and Harlequins at Kingsholm Stadium on January 02, 2022 in Gloucester, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Harlequins prop Will Collier will play his 200th game for the club against Exeter Chiefs in a repeat of last year’s Premiership Final at a sold-out Twickenham Stoop at 3:00PM on Saturday.
Reigning champions Harlequins come into the game off the back of a hard fought 20-17 win away at Gloucester, while last year’s runners up saw off West Country rivals Bristol Bears 19-13 at Sandy Park.
Harlequins are in third on 38 points and trail runaway leaders Leicester Tigers by 12 points, while Rob Baxter‘s side have endured an underwhelming campaign and lie in fifth on 32 points.
Quins captain Stephan Lewies is unavailable due to injury so England No.8 Alex Dombrandt captains the side once more.
Andre Esterhuizen and Luke Northmore is the chosen centre partnership, with the former coming into the game off back-to-back star man displays in Big Game 13 and last week’s win.
Tabai Matson makes just one change from last week’s win as Cadan Murley replaces Joe Marchant out wide.
Stuart Hogg starts for the Chiefs after last week’s standout performance, in an exciting backline that includes Jack Nowell, Henry Slade, Joe Simmonds and the silky stepping Argentine Facundo Cordero.
Ian Whitten and Cordero replace Ollie Devoto and Tom O’Flaherty in the backs, while in the forwards Josh Iosefa-Scott replaces Sam Nixon and Jonny Gray returns in place of Sam Skinner.
The two teams haven’t played since last season’s final in which Harlequins beat the Chiefs 40-38 courtesy of Louis Lynagh’s late double in what was one of the greatest finals Twickenham has seen.
You could be perceived as greedy expecting a match as entertaining as that one but most games at the Stoop this season have been easy on the eye, so you should expect an enthralling encounter.
