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Matches: Leicester Tigers 18 - 27 Harlequins

Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: Harlequins | Leicester Tigers

Leicester's hunt for a second victory of the season and an arrest in their dismal early season form continues at Welford Road on Sunday - but the prey does not get any easier for the Tigers.

Harlequins sit on top of the Aviva Premiership table after five straight victories, having scored 162 points and picked up two try bonus points. Fly-half Nick Evans in particular has been in fine form orchestrating the Quins backline.

Leicester have struggled in the absence of so many internationals. Of greatest concern for last season's Aviva Premiership runners up is their defence - having conceded 167 points so far they have the worst defensive record in the league. Leicester looked to be on course to victory over rivals Bath at the Rec last weekend only for Jeremy Staunton - who had scored all of the Tigers' points in an impressive display - to miss a late penalty opportunity with the last kick of the game.

Leicester Tigers - Player to Watch: All eyes will be on Alex Tuilagi come Saturday as he looks to resurrect Tigers' faltering season. The prolific winger will hope to see plenty of ball against the current league leaders.

Leicester Tigers - Team News:Alesana Tuilagi returns from Rugby World Cup duty to make his first Leicester Tigers appearance of the season and the Samoan winger replaces Andy Forsyth in the Tigers backline. Sam Harrison makes his first start of the season at scrum-half. In the forwards, Julian White returns at tight-head prop after missing the last two games and Geoff Parling continues in the second-row after making his comeback from injury last weekend

Harlequins - Player to Watch: Jordan Turner-Hall is constantly turning in eye-catching performances and having been named man-of-the-match last weekend, he will hope to continue his impressive form in the centres.

Harlequins - Team News: Joe Marler comes into the side as the only change from last weekend's win over Sale. Mark Lambert switches to the bench where he is joined by Joe Gray with the rest of the 23 remaining the same.

Key Battle: George Robson faces up against Geoff Parling in the second-row in what promises to be a titanic battle of tactics and bulk. Both would have hoped to be lining up against France this weekend, but the pair are central to their respective sides defensive platform and will look to win the mind games come Saturday.

Trivia: The Tigers have lost their last two matches at Welford Road but have not lost three successive first team games at the venue since October 1991.

Stats: Quins have won their last three away games in the Premiership - their best sequence on the road since season 1998-99.

Quote Unquote:

"Nick Evans is the fulcrum of their team. He is a world class player and, if I were New Zealand, I would be calling him back to deal with their fly-half crisis with Dan Carter out injured. And we would happily help with the funds for his flight. We will certainly book those for him if needed!"
- Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill offers to pay for Nick Evans' flight back to New Zealand

"I don't think about it too much any more, to be honest, I'm pretty happy where I am. It is a blow for New Zealand, but they still have the experienced guys in the backs. The World Cup is still theirs to lose. I'll be just another Kiwi cheering them on."
- Harlequins' fly-half Nick Evans rejects any notion of him even considering a shock call-up to the All Blacks side

Prediction: This match is very tough to call. While Tigers have performed below their high standards on their day they can mix it with the best. However, Harlequins are in a purple patch of form and look set to edge this by a margin of three points or less.