Harlequins v Northampton Saints, Aviva Premiership, September 9
Quins out to make it two from two
ESPNscrum Staff
September 9, 2011
Harlequins' Nick Evans slots a kick, London Irish v Harlequins, Aviva Premiership, Twickenham, September 3, 2011
Former All Blacks fly-half Nick Evans kicked 19 points in Quins' win over London Irish © Getty Images
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Harlequins and Northampton will both be aiming to build on opening-day wins when they collide before the ESPN cameras at the Stoop on Friday night.

Quins kicked off their campaign with a fine 29-24 victory over London Irish at Twickenham, courtesy of a typically composed performance from playmaker Nick Evans, and they will be looking forward to the visit of the Saints, whom they upset at Franklin's Gardens earlier this year.

However, Quins have lost their last two games on home soil and Northampton did triumph at the Stoop this time last season. The Saints will again travel without a host of first-team players because of the World Cup but they showed impressive spirit and no end of quality in edging out Gloucester 26-24 in a thrilling encounter last weekend.

Indeed, going on the two sides' respective openers, we could be in for an exciting, high-scoring affair.

Harlequins - Player to Watch: Ross Chisholm shone throughout pre-season for the Quins but was largely on the fringes in their opening round win over London Irish at Twickenham. And if given the chance, Chisholm will trouble the Saints defence come Friday.

Harlequins - Team News: Quins boss Conor O'Shea is forced into two changes for the clash. Tim Fairbrother - who was a replacement last weekend - comes into the front-row while Chris York starts in the back-row in place of the injured Tom Guest. Elsewhere, it's as before with Mike Brown lining up at fullback with Chisholm and Ugo Monye on opposing wings. The familiar centre partnership of George Lowe and Jordan Turner-Hall start with the mercurial Nick Evans at fly-half. Fairbrother is joined in the front-row by Joe Marler and Joe Gray while Ollie Kohn and George Robson combine in the second-row. York starts at No.8 with captain Chris Robshaw and Will Skinner taking the flanker spots.

Northampton Saints - Player to Watch: Stephen Myler will be under pressure to perform after his competitor for the fly-half spot Ryan Lamb kicked the match winning penalty against Gloucester last week. In a close match such as Friday's game, Myler will have to be on his game to keep the scoreboard ticking over at the Stoop.

Northampton Saints - Team News:Greig Tonks starts at fullback for the away side with Tom May shifting to the wing alongside Noah Cato. Jon Clarke and James Downey take the centre berth with Stephen Myler starting at fly-half with match winner Ryan Lamb having to remain content with a spot on the bench. Martin Roberts impressed at scrum-half last weekend against Gloucester and starts again at half-back. Alex Waller will partner the indispensable Brian Mujati in the front-row while Andy Long will aim to hit his jumpers from hooker. Christian Day and Samu Manoa start in the second-row with Calum Clark, Ben Nutley and captain Phil Dowson taking the back-row spots.

Key Battle: Brian Mujati will feel aggrieved at having missed out on a spot in the Springboks' World Cup squad and will face a stern test at the hands of Joe Marler. The young Quins prop looks destined for a bright future in the game but has a tendency to lose his cool under pressure as shown through his yellow card against London Irish.

Trivia: Northampton have not lost a Friday evening encounter in the Premiership since a trip to Leicester in April 2006.

Stats: Quins have not lost three consecutive games at the Stoop since September 2006.

Quote Unquote:

"We are lucky to have a great set of fans, a great bunch of players, who enjoy playing for each other, some fantastic coaches and some top class facilities."
- Harlequins centre George Lowe reflects on his time at the Stoop after committing to the club until the end of the 2014 season

"They have also put us under pressure over the past couple of years and of course came here and won in a tight game last season. So we know what they can offer, and they have some key players who can win the game for them."
- Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder looks ahead to Friday's clash

Prediction: Despite taking the spoils against Gloucester on Sunday, expect Quins to continue their run of good form with a narrow win over Northampton.

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