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Joe Marler returns for Harlequins against Ulster in Champions Cup


Joe Marler of Harlequins receives a pass during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Big Game 15 match between Harlequins and Gloucester Rugby at Twickenham Stadium on December 30, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
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England prop Joe Marler has been named in the Harlequins squad for their Investec Champions Cup match against Ulster Rugby at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.

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Marler, who was selected for Steve Borthwick’s Six Nations squad, has successfully recovered from injury and starts at loosehead. The veteran prop hasn’t played since injuring himself on December 30th against Gloucester. Joining him in the front row are Jack Walker at hooker and Will Collier at tighthead.

In addition to Marler’s return, Quins have made two other changes to their Starting XV. The pack sees Irne Herbst starting alongside George Hammond in the second-row. Chandler Cunningham-South steps in as blindside flanker, replacing the injured James Chisholm. The openside flanker position remains with Will Evans, and Alex Dombrandt, leading the team as captain, completes the back row at number eight.

Fixture
Investec Champions Cup
Harlequins
47 - 19
Full-time
Ulster
All Stats and Data

The backline remains unchanged from their victory over Cardiff. The halfback pairing of Danny Care and Marcus Smith lines up with Andre Esterhuizen and Oscar Beard renewing their effective combination outside them in midfield. Cameron Anderson, Nick David and Tyrone Green make up the back three.

Meanwhile, Ulster Head Coach Dan McFarland has also announced his lineup. The team includes six players named in Ireland’s Six Nations squad by Head Coach Andy Farrell. Tom Stewart, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, Nick Timoney, Jacob Stockdale, and Stuart McCloskey are all set to play key roles in the match before joining the international training camp the following week.

HARLEQUINS: 1. Joe Marler 2. Jack Walker 3. Will Collier 4. Irne Herbst 5. George Hammond 6. Chandler Cunningham-South 7. Will Evans 8. Alex Dombrandt (Captain) 9. Danny Care 10. Marcus Smith 11. Cameron Anderson 12. Andre Esterhuizen 13. Oscar Beard 14. Nick David 15. Tyrone Green

REPLACEMENTS: 16. Sam Riley 17. Fin Baxter 18. Dillon Lewis 19. Joe Launchbury 20. Archie White 21. Will Porter 22. Lennox Anyanwu 23. Will Joseph

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ULSTER: 15. Mike Lowry, 14. Rob Baloucoune, 13. James Hume, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 11. Jacob Stockdale, 10. Billy Burns, 9. John Cooney; 1. Steven Kitshoff, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Tom O’Toole, 4. Kieran Treadwell, 5. Iain Henderson (C), 6. Matty Rea, 7. David McCann, 8. Nick Timoney.

REPLACEMENTS: 16. John Andrew, 17. Andy Warwick, 18. Marty Moore, 19. Harry Sheridan, 20. Marcus Rea, 21. Nathan Doak, 22. Luke Marshall, 23. Will Addison.

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NoLongerARuck 1 hour ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

The Six Nations produced so many compelling games and so much of action packed moments that you can only conclude that its the best international comp out there at the moment except for a world cup. If Wales improve it will be even better especially given the strides Italy have made in recent times. The Rugby Championship is now taking a hiatus in a year it really should be building toward something better which is terrible considering the competition was so tight last year. The Nations Champs promises much but one gets the feeling that the 6 Nations teams will not be at their peak given its at the end of their long season. In terms of rugby quality and entertainment Id rather watch the 6 Nations over everything else other than a world cup right now. The North arguably offers more in terms of entertainment than the South at club level as well. The Prem, the Champs Cup, URC and Top 14 all feature plenty of scoring and different playing styles while Super Rugby seems to be the same thing game in game out. While the South tries to speed up the game artificially with new trials and law variations the North has shown you can do it with good refereeing which penalises cynical play harshly and encourages positive actions on the field. In terms of entertainment the North wins. In terms of winning? They are making strides but until they win another world cup or get a team to rank number 1 again for an extended time again they cant really say they are better than the South.

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