NFL would-be Christian Scotland-Williamson named in Harlequins team

Would-be NFL star Christian Scotland-Williamson will make just his second appearance of the season for Harlequins after returning to rugby union last year.

Scotland-Williamson has played just 24 minutes for the West London club this season but will now get an opportunity to impress with in the Premiership Cup against Sale Sharks at the Stoop.

The 6’9, 125kg lock spent four years of his career attempting the enormously difficult task of cracking into the NFL via the International Player Pathway with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he played as a tightend.

Chris Ashton | Rugby Roots

Chris Ashton | Rugby Roots

“I have learned some valuable lessons from my time in America and am coming back to rugby with a different perspective” said the big second row upon his return last year. “Performing on the highest stage is a privilege and one I don’t take for granted.”

Prior to his stint in American Football, Scotland-Williamson had made his name in rugby as a massive, hard-hitting, second row during his time with Worcester Warriors. Indeed, it was a viral video of a big hit that put him in the radar of UK-based NFL scouts back in 2017.

Now 28, the big second row will be eager to make up for lost time in the fifteen-man code. He joins George Hammond in the engine room for the rare Tuesday night clash.

Harlequins are hoping to bounce back following defeat away to London Irish in the last round of the new competition.

Skills and Kicking Coach Charlie Mulchrone said: “Once again, we are expecting nothing but another tough test against what will be a physical Sale Sharks side. We love playing under the lights at The Stoop so I’m sure all the lads will be fired up and ready to go.

“This competition is a great chance to give some of our younger lads valuable game time and first-team exposure. We had a couple of debutants in Will Trenholm and Hayden Hyde last time out against Irish and we’re excited to see a few more this week.”

HARLEQUINS TEAM:
1. Jordan Els
2. Joe Gray
3. Rhys Litterick
4. George Hammond
5. Christian Scotland-Williamson
6. Matas Jurevicius
7. Will Evans
8. Viliami Taulani
9. Scott Steele (c)
10. Ross Chisholm
11. Cassius Cleeves
12. Lennox Anyanwu
13. Oscar Beard
14. Hayden Hyde
15. Nick David

REPLACEMENTS:
16. Sam Riley
17. Fin Baxter
18. Mak Wilson
19. Will Trenholm
20. Archie White
21. Jack Stafford
22. Jake Murray
23. Bryn Bradley