Harlequins v Gloucester: Teams

Harlequins make two changes to the side that won away at Saracens last week for Saturday's clash with Gloucester at the Twickenham Stoop.

England number eight Nick Easter returns from Six Nations duty to replace the injured Tom Guest, and will join Will Skinner and Chris Robshaw in the back row.

The only other change sees Andy Gomarsall back from two weeks out, but he has to settle for a place on the bench. Danny Care keeps the Quins scrum-half berth alongside Adrian Jarvis at fly-half.

Harlequins have won just one of their last eleven games against Gloucester since February 2001 - at the Twickenham Stoop on 5 February 2005.

Quins director of Rugby Dean Richards said: "We are going into the match with two wins under our belt, and playing with a lot more confidence. The win away at Vicarage Road against Saracens was fantastic."

"The youngsters are all making notable performances and, although all eyes seem to be on Danny Care who is stealing the limelight at the moment, the likes of Will Skinner, James Percival and Tosh Masson, amongst others, have impressed considerably in the last two games.

"Another bonus this week is Nick Easter, who is back from his Man of the Match display against France last weekend in the RBS Six Nations."

Gloucester

Table-topping Gloucester will head to the Stoop with their third different fly-half in as many weeks - former Otago Highlander Willie Walker starting at 10 alongside scrum-half Rory Lawson.

Walker will be making his 10th appearance of the season in the Premiership and gets the nod because Ryan Lamb has slight bruising to his shoulder and Chris Paterson, who started against Bristol a fortnight ago, moves to the bench.

There are also returns from Six Nations duty for England winger Lesley Vainikolo and full-back Iain Balshaw.

Outside Lawson and Walker, Jack Adams and Anthony Allen continue their midfield partnership, while the in-form James Simpson-Daniel will partner Vainikolo and Balshaw in Gloucester's back three.

Cherry and Whites coach Dean Ryan has also made changes up front. Peter Buxton will move back into the second row alongside Alex Brown, which means Alasdair Strokosch, who started for Scotland against Ireland last Saturday, is uin at six. Akapusi Qera comes in for Andy Hazell at openside and Luke Narraway is the Number Eight.

Hazell is ruled out with a slight neck injury which means Qera will make his 11th start of the season.

"Balance is important and I think this is a side that has a lot of capability," Ryan said. "There is also a great deal of know-how and experience on the bench and at certain times they will also be crucial.

"We need to ensure our preparation is right and if we do that then we are capable of creating a threat against a lot of sides. Harlequins are a real threat and to pick off Saracens last Sunday was a very significant result for them - it will be a tough game."

Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Tom Williams, 13 Haldane Luscombe, 12 Tosh Masson, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Adrian Jarvis, 9 Danny Care; 1 Ceri Jones, 2 Tani Fuga, 3 Mike Ross, 4 James Percival, 5 Nicolas Spanghero, 6 Chris Robshaw, 7 Will Skinner, 8 Nick Easter.
Replacements: 16 Chris Brooker, 17 John Brooks, 18 George Robson, 19 Chris Hala'ufia, 20 Andy Gomarsall, 21 Chris Malone, 22 De Wet Barry.

Gloucester: 15 Iain Balshaw; 14 James Simpson-Daniel, 13 Jack Adams, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Lesley Vainikolo; 10 Willie Walker, 9 Rory Lawson; 1 Nick Wood, 2 Olivier Azam, 3 Carlos Nieto, 4 Peter Buxton (c), 5 Alex Brown, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 7 Akapusi Qera, 8 Luke Narraway.
Replacements: 16 Andy Titterrell; 17 Alasdair Dickinson, 18 Marco Bortolami, 19 Gareth Delve, 20 Gareth Cooper, 21 Chris Paterson, 22 Mark Foster