Harlequins v Grenoble: Challenge Cup semi-final preview
Last Updated: 23/04/16 10:01am
Nick Evans has battled back from a broken leg three weeks ahead of schedule and in time to feature in Harlequins' European Challenge Cup semi-final against Grenoble.
The former All Blacks fly-half suffered his nasty injury in Harlequins' 28-6 Aviva Premiership defeat at Gloucester on February 13 and was expected to miss out this weekend, but the ex-Blues pivot has defied those expectations to take up a place on the bench in Friday's clash at the Stoop.
Harlequins boss Conor O'Shea was full of praise for the Kiwi fly-half, who deputises for Ben Botica in the No 10 jersey.
"Nick has fought back fit a couple of weeks ahead of schedule but that's only what we've come to expect of him," said O'Shea.
"He's proved his tenacity and drive so many times with us over the years, that when we knew the extent of his injury we all also knew that he would do everything he could to be back out on the field as soon as possible.
"It's a great boost to have him back and something that will give everyone a natural lift - but at the same time Ben Botica has been playing excellently and fully deserves his place.
"We feel it's a strong line-up and a strong place for us to be at the moment, so hopefully we can go out there on Friday night and bring that to bear against what is clearly a powerful Grenoble side."
England prop Joe Marler is back in the Quins side after serving his two-match suspension for a racial slur against Wales' Samson Lee during the Six Nations, while there is also a return in the front-row for Adam Jones.
George Lowe is back to take up the No 13 jersey, while Luke Wallace has been given the nod in the back-row over England's fast-improving flanker Jack Clifford.
O'Shea hopes his side have enough to reach their first European final since lifting the Challenge Cup crown in 2011.
"Certainly one of our clear aims this season has been silverware, so we're excited to be where we are in this competition and keen to do ourselves justice," said O'Shea.
"We haven't been satisfied with our form in the Premiership but this is a fine opportunity for us, but also a massive challenge."
Former Harlequins and Worcester lock James Percival starts for a Grenoble side coached by ex-Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman.
Grenoble edged out PRO12 side Connacht 33-32 in their home quarter-final, and will be hoping for another big performance from former Racing 92 fly-half Jonathan Wisniewski.
Jackman insisted Grenoble are the underdogs heading to Twickenham, citing star-studded Quins as boasting the stronger line-up, at least on paper.
"They have four players who won the Grand Slam with England, but then there is also Tim Visser, Jamie Roberts and Adam Jones," said Jackman.
"There are stars all over the field, and they are a bit like Connacht, with an ambitious game. Their style is to keep the ball in their hands.
"We will have to be very good in defence: it's going to be complicated but we have nothing to lose."
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Marland Yarde, 13 George Lowe, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Ben Botica, 9 Danny Care (c); 1 Joe Marler, 2 Joe Gray, 3 Adam Jones, 4 James Horwill, 5 Sam Twomey, 6 Chris Robshaw, 7 Luke Wallace, 8 Nick Easter.
Replacements: 16 Dave Ward, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Charlie Matthews, 20 Jack Clifford, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Nick Evans, 23 Ross Chisholm.
Grenoble: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Xavier Mignot, 13 Chris Farrell, 12 Nigel Hunt, 11 Lucas Dupont, 10 Jonathan Wisniewski, 9 Charl McLeod; 1 Sona Taumalolo, 2 Arnaud Héguy, 3 Dayna Edwards, 4 Ben Hand (c), 5 James Percival, 6 Mahamadou Diaby, 7 Fabien Alexandre, 8 Steven Setephano.
Replacements: 16 Loick Jammes, 17 Fabien Barcella, 18 Walter Desmaison, 19 Mathias Marie, 20 Henry Vanderglas, 21 James Hart, 22 Fabien Gengenbacher, 23 Fabrice Estebanez.