Harlequins v Wasps
Wasps and Quins heading for derby showdown
Scrum.com
November 14, 2008
Harlequins fly-half Nick Evans, September 6 2008
Nick Evans returns to action for Quins this weekend © Getty Images
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Harlequins fans will no doubt give a warm welcome to Nick Evans when he runs out in the number 10 shirt this Sunday, when Quins take on Wasps at the Twickenham Stoop.

With Danny Care, Ugo Monye and Nick Easter all away on England duty, Andy Gomarsall, Seb Stegmann and Tom Guest make the starting line up.

Gonzalo Tiesi and Tani Fuga are also absent from the squad due to International commitments, and will be replaced by Tosh Masson in the centre and Chris Brooker on the bench.

Mike Brown has failed a late fitness test and the fullback is unable to play, so Tom Williams moves to the No.15 position.

Sunday's game against Wasps presents Evans with his first opportunity to really show the Quins fans, and the rest of the Premiership, what he is capable of, and he knows that the game is going to be very competitive," It's going to be my first experience of a derby match between the two big London clubs, but I can imagine the level of intensity the game is going to hit.

"I played in some pretty big games back home between Otago and Canterbury, and I'm really looking forward to the atmosphere these kinds of games generate, especially for my first game back."

After a five week break from Guinness Premiership action, Ian McGeechan has today named a Wasps side littered with youth and experience for the first local derby between the two sides this season.

With nine players on international duty this weekend - eight to England and one to Ireland - McGeechan has called upon not only his experienced heads with Joe Worsley leading the side, but young guns Lachlan Mitchell and Mossy Lawler to help bolster his starting XV.

In one of four personnel changes to the XV that secured victory over Newport Gwent Dragons at Adams Park on the 2nd November, Lawler comes onto to the wing in place of Josh Lewsey who moves to centre to partner Mitchell in place of Rob Hoadley.

Hoadley is named amongst the replacements alongside Dave Walder who switches with Jeremy Staunton, the latter starting at fly half. In the forwards, second row George Skivington comes into the starting line up to make his 2008/09 debut. He replaces Dan Leo who is named on the bench alongside Raphael Ibanez and host of Wasps' young talents.

Looking ahead to the game, McGeechan said; "We know the challenge that we face throughout the international period but as a club we are delighted for our nine players who will run out for their country this weekend.

"Sunday's game will be a tough challenge as we face Harlequins - an in-form side who have played some good rugby this season - but we are looking forward to getting back to the Guinness Premiership competition."

Harlequins: Ceri Jones, Gary Botha, Mike Ross, Ollie Kohn, Jim Evans, Chris Robshaw, Will Skinner (C), Tom Guest, Andy Gomarsall, Nick Evans, Charlie Amesbury, Jordan Turner-Hall, Tosh Masson, Seb Stegmann, Tom Williams

Replacements: Chris Brooker, Mark Lambert, George Robson, Neil McMillan, Junior, Polu, De Wet Barry, Chris Malone

Wasps: Mark Van Gisbergen, Mossy Lawler, Josh Lewsey, Lachlan Mitchell, Tom Voyce, Jeremy Staunton, Mark Robinson, Tim Payne, Rob Webber, Pat Barnard, George Skivington, Richard Birkett, John Hart, Serge Betsen, Joe Worsley (C)

Replacements: Raphael Ibanez, Tom French, Dan Leo, Hugo Ellis, Joe Simpson, Dave Walder, Rob Hoadley

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