By Duncan Wood
January 3 2003

Peter Thorburn has named a virtually unchanged XV to face Harlequins at the Stoop this weekend. Only one enforced change in the backs and Andrew Sheridan gets another start in the front row.

Bristol Shoguns head coach Peter Thorburn has named a virtually unchanged side for Saturday's visit to NEC Harlequins as there has been a question mark over the fitness of Phil Christophers who has a rib injury and he has been replaced by David Rees.

Despite an impressive recent run of results, Peter Thorburn is taking nothing for granted as he indicates on the official site, www.bristolshoguns.co.uk:

"You look around the Premiership and the fixture list and there is not one easy game to be had. We had a difficult first few weeks to the season and we're not clear of bottom place yet. Saturday will be a tough game. Quins are strong at home and have beaten some very good sides at the Stoop. They'll also be on the rebound from last weekend's defeat at Bath and will want to start the year off well."

Andrew Sheridan gets another start at prop where he performed very impressively against Sale last weekend and it's good to see Ross Beattie getting a run of games together after his well documented injury problems.

Elsewhere, Agustin Pichot has overcome the groin injury that forced him to leave the field late on against Sale and resumes his partnership with Felipe Contepomi.

1. Andrew Sheridan
2. Paul Johnstone
3. Julian White
4. Garath Archer (c)
5. Alex Brown
6. Matt Salter
7. Rhys Oakley
8. Ross Beattie
9. Agustin Pichot
10. Felipe Contepomi
11. Phil Christophers
12. Daryl Gibson
13. Andrew Higgins
14. Brendon Daniel
15. Lee Best

Replacements:
16. Darren Crompton
17. Chris Rowland
18. Chris Morgan
19. Scott Morgan
20. Peter Richards
21. Matt Carrington
22. Jamie Williams