Stu Townsend set to make long-awaited return from injury

Scrum-half Stu Townsend will make his first appearance for Harlequins in four months after being named in the team to face Leicester in the PREM Rugby Cup.

Townsend, a summer signing from Exeter, has been out since the middle of October with a torn bicep, and has only played two games since moving to the capital from Devon.

One positive to the 30-year-old’s prolonged absence is that it has allowed Lucas Friday to show what a hot prospect he is. Friday’s continued involvement with England U20s, though, makes Townsend’s return to fitness very timely.

Townsend has had an injury-chequered career, with shoulder and knee surgery having kept him oput for lengthy periods in the past.

Harlequins, who prop up the Pool B standings, travel to the East Midlands with a much-changed team to the one beaten 40-24 at home to Northampton last weekend.

All four props in the matchday 23 are set for their debuts. Short-term signings Alessandro Heaney and Joe Jones are the starting loose-head and tight-head, respectively, while another short-term signing Ben Murphy and first year senior academy tight-head, Sam Bland, are on the bench.

Harlequins team vs Leicester:

15. Josh Bellamy (4)
14. Nick David (84)
13. Ben Waghorn (18)
12. Bryn Bradley (24)
11. Cassius Cleaves (24)
10. Jamie Benson (34)
9. Stu Townsend (2)
1. Alessandro Heaney (*)
2. Jack Musk (45)
3. Joe Jones (*)
4. Kieran Treadwell (20)
5. Jonny Green (20)
6. Zach Carr (24)
7. Oisin McCormack (2)
8. Alex Dombrandt (167) (C)

Replacements:

16. Jack Walker (104)
17. Ben Murphy (*)
18. Sam Bland (*)
19. Barny Langton-Cryer (2)
20. Tom Lawday (103)
21. Jake Murray (19)
22. Luke Northmore (94)
23. Cameron Anderson (27)

*Club appearances in brackets