Harlequins v Wigan: Teams
Harlequins and Wigan will have some new faces on display when they clash at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.
Last Updated: 08/02/08 10:38am
Harlequins and Wigan start their Super League XIII campaign at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday with both sides likely to include new faces.
David Howell, Gareth Haggerty and Danny Ward could all make their debuts for the home side having joined in the winter.
Coach Brian McDermott will be hoping his side can start the new campaign like they did in 2007 when they managed nine wins before July.
That fine start included an 18-8 result against Wigan on home soil, while the two sides fought out a 16-16 draw in the capital last August.
Rob Purdham or Henry Paul will take over the kicking duties for Quins following the departure of Paul Sykes to Bradford.
New Warriors
Wigan coach Brian Noble has included three of his off-season recruits in his squad for the trip to London.
Richie Mathers, George Carmont and Andy Coley should feature for the Cherry and Whites this weekend.
However, Karl Pryce will have to wait a little longer for his first appearance as he is ruled out with a foot injury that has troubled him for the past year.
With Mark Calderwood also sidelined, there is a place in the 18-man party for young winger Shaun Ainscough, who scored two tries in the pre-season friendly win over Bradford.
Prop Stuart Fielden is rated as '50-50' to play after having surgery in the off-season. Gareth Hock is ruled out through suspension.
Wigan have however selected Iafeta Paleaaesina. The Samoan appeared in court on Monday where he denied inflicting grievous bodily harm in October last year. He will go on trial at Liverpool Crown Court on April 28.
The match this weekend gives new Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan an early chance to return to his former club. He gave up control of Harlequins so he could buy the Warriors.
Harlequins squad: Gafa, Grayshon, Haggerty, Heckenberg, Hill, Howell, Mbu, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, McLinden, Orr, Paul, Purdham, Randall, Rinaldi, Sheriffe, Temata, Walsh, Ward, Wells, Worrincy.
Wigan squad: Mathers, Goulding, Carmont, Richards, Barrett, Leuluai, Fielden, Higham, Paleaaesina, Bailey, O'Loughlin, Colbon, Coley, Hansen, McIlorum, Prescott, J. Tomkins, O'Carroll, Coyle, Ainscough.