Guinness Premiership - Game of the Week
Quins out to break duck against Bath
Scrum.com
October 2, 2009
Bath's Matt Banahan runs with the ball during the Heineken Cup match with Glasgow at the Recreation Ground in Bath, England on December 7, 2008.
Matt Banahan returns to his usual wing berth for Bath against Harlequins © Getty Images
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Bath travel to face Harlequins at The Stoop on Saturday, with both sides slowly progressing away from their troubled summers.

Talk at Harlequins has moved on from 'Bloodgate' to arresting their alarming start to the season. Last weekend's draw with Newcastle brought their first positive result after defeats to Wasps, Leicester and Saracens and they will need to continue that upward curve against a Bath side that has begun to show signs of redeeming their own shaky start to the season.

A narrow loss to Wasps was followed by a thumping away win over Sale and although last weekend's draw with Leicester required a late Nicky Little penalty to salvage the points they dominated the champions for long periods.

Little again starts in the No.10 jersey alongside skipper Michael Claassens. Matt Banahan returns to his usual position on the wing after scoring a try from outside-centre against the Tigers.

His place in the No.13 jersey is taken by impressive Australian recruit Matt Carraro, while the back-three is completed by fullback Nick Abendanon and Joe Maddock.

A combative back-row of Andy Beattie, Julian Salvi and Ben Skirving has been named by coach Steve Meehan.

Quins are able to call on fullback Mike Brown for the first time this season, allowing Ugo Monye to return to his usual slot on the wing. David Strettle completes the back three and there is a return at outside-centre for Pumas international Gonzalo Tiesi. Danny Care and Nick Evans start at halfback.

Hooker Gary Botha will make his final appearance for Quins after agreeing to return to South Africa with the Blue Bulls. John Andress covers an injury to Mark Lambert and joins the front-row along with Ceri Jones.

Harlequins: Mike Brown; David Strettle, Gonzalo Tiesi, Tosh Masson, Ugo Monye; Nick Evans, Danny Care; Ceri Jones, Gary Botha, John Andress, Lewis Stevenson, Jim Evans, Chris Robshaw, Will Skinner (capt), Nick Easter

Replacements: Aston Croall, Tani Fuga, James Johnston, Shane O'Connor, Tom Guest, Gareth Williams, Rory Clegg Gonzalo Camacho

Bath: Nick Abendanon; Joe Maddock, Matt Carraro, Shontayne Hape, Matt Banahan; Nicky Little, Michael Claassens (capt); David Flatman, Pieter Dixon, Duncan Bell, Peter Short, Stuart Hooper, Andy Beattie, Julian Salvi, Ben Skirving

Replacements: Rob Hawkins, David Barnes, Aaron Jarvis, Danny Grewcock, Jonny Faamatuainu, Scott Bemand, Ryan Davis, Jack Cuthbert

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