Struggling Harlequins get Los Pumas star back as 1 of 4 changes for Vannes

PREM strugglers Harlequins have welcomed back Argentina international Rodrigo Isgró as one of four changes to their starting XV for Sunday’s EPCR Challenge Cup opener against RC Vannes at The Stoop.

The Gallagher PREM side will be aiming to kickstart their season after a challenging opening to the domestic campaign, with head coach Jason Gilmore making alterations to both his pack and backline ahead of the visit of the French outfit.

The headline selection sees Los Pumas wing Isgró return to the run-on side on the right flank. The former World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year joins captain Cadan Murley and full-back George Furbank in a back three packed with attacking threat.

Harlequins retain the centre combination of Luke Northmore and Bryn Bradley, while Marcus Smith continues at fly-half alongside scrum-half Lucas Friday.

Up front, the hosts are unchanged in the front row, where Will Hobson and Simon Kerrod line up either side of hooker Sam Riley. Riley will be looking to build on the confidence gained from scoring twice in last week’s defeat to Sale Sharks.

Fixture

Challenge Cup

Harlequins

05:00

18 Oct 26

Vannes

All Stats and Data

James Dun and Kieran Treadwell continue their partnership in the second row, while former European champion Guido Petti Pagadizábal comes into the side at blindside flanker. Seb Driscoll and Lucas Schmid complete the back row.

Gilmore has again opted for a six-two bench split, with England Under-20 hooker Jimmy Staples included among the replacements and in line for his European debut. Summer signing Harry Johnson-Holmes and Ollie Streeter provide front-row cover.

Elliot Williams is named in a senior matchday squad for the first time since pre-season, while Harry Browne and experienced openside Will Evans also feature among the replacements.

Scrum-half Will Porter and versatile back Tyrone Green complete the 23 for Quins, who will be aiming to make a winning start to their Challenge Cup campaign on home soil.

Harlequins: 15 George Furbank, 14 Rodrigo Isgró, 13 Luke Northmore, 12 Bryn Bradley, 11 Cadan Murley (capt), 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Lucas Friday; 1 Will Hobson, 2 Sam Riley, 3 Simon Kerrod, 4 James Dun, 5 Kieran Treadwell, 6 Guido Petti Pagadizábal, 7 Seb Driscoll, 8 Lucas Schmid.

Replacements: 16 Jimmy Staples, 17 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 18 Ollie Streeter, 19 Elliot Williams, 20 Harry Browne, 21 Will Evans, 22 Will Porter, 23 Tyrone Green.