Quins v Northampton: Teams
Harlequins are boosted by the return of captain Will Skinner for their home clash with high-flying Northampton.
Last Updated: 19/02/10 2:02pm
Harlequins are boosted by the return of captain Will Skinner for their home Guinness Premiership clash with high-flying Northampton on Saturday.
The flanker has been sidelined by injury for around three weeks, but returns to take the skipper's armband from Mike Brown.
Skinner is one of five changes made to the starting line-up that lost against Gloucester last time out.
England team member Chris Robshaw is back from international duty to join Skinner in the back row, while John Andress comes into the front fow.
Winger Tom Williams is fit again and takes his place in the starting XV, while the other change to the back-line sees George Lowe given the nod to start in the centres in the absence of Gonzalo Tiesi.
Saints wary
Northampton boss Jim Mallinder insists his side are wary of Quins despite being some way above their opponents in the table.
Mallinder is well aware his side were beaten 27-6 in the same fixture last season and is looking for a much-improved display this time around.
"We were well beaten at the Stoop last year and were very disappointed with our performance that afternoon,so we're looking for a big improvement on that tomorrow (Saturday)," he stated.
"It is important that we keep on winning to stay in the top four. The Guinness Premiership is a very competitive league and there are plenty of teams coming into form ready to capitalise if we slip up."
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 David Strettle, 13 George Lowe, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Tom Williams, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Karl Dickson; 1 Ceri Jones, 2 Chris Brooker, 3 John Andress, 4 James Percival, 5 Lewis Stevenson, 6 Chris Robshaw, 7 Will Skinner (Captain), 8 Tom Guest
Replacements: 16 Matt Cairns, 17 Aston Croall, 18 James Johnston, 19 Tomas Vallejos, 20 Chris York, 21 Steve So'oialo, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Sam Smith
Northampton: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Paul Diggin, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson; 1 Soane Tonga'uiha, 2 Brett Sharman, 3 Euan Murray, 4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 5 Juandre Kruger, 6 Courtney Lawes, 7 Neil Best, 8 Phil Dowson (captain)
Replacements: 16 Andy Long, 17 Brian Mujati, 18 Darren Morris, 19 Mark Easter, 20 Scott Gray, 21 Alan Dickens, 22 Shane Geraghty, 23 Chris Mayor