Inside Man

By MG
December 9 2022

Quins are in South Africa to make some European history. The game against the Sharks - formerly Natal now Cell C Sharks - will be the first since the European Champions Cup extended its borders beyond the equator. 

Regardless of the politics, or geography,  of it all the games will throw up new challenges,   and it's Quins who have the possibly unenviable task of kicking it all off. It's live on BT Sport on Saturday Kick off 1.15 our time.

It won't be a step into the unknown for Andre Esterhuizen who left Kings Park three years ago to join Quins. He also knows their considerable array of Sprinkbpks from having played alongside them.

It will be physical, of course, and Quins have picked a squad which needs to win the battles early in the game.  Irne Herbst and Josh Bassett  have experience in te competition and will start for their new club.

Te post Covid format has been again been adopted for the competition - two 12-team pools, with each team playing two others, home and away, and then progressing to the last 16 if they finish in the top eight of the pool. Sharks are jonied by compatriots in the Bulls and Stormers.

The squad has been out there for a few days to get over the long flight and reports back say preparation plus a changce of scenery have gone down well.

Quins: 1. Joe Marler 2. Jack Walker 3. Wilco Louw 4. Dino Lamb 5. Irne Herbst 6. Jack Kenningham 7. Will Evans 8. Alex Dombrandt (Capt) 9. Danny Care 10. Tommy Allan 11. Josh Bassett 12. Andre Esterhuizen 13. Joe Marchant 14. Cadan Murley 15. Nick David.

Bench: 16. George Head 17. Fin Baxter 18. Simon Kerrod 19. George Hammond 20. Tom Lawday 21. Lewis Gjaltema 22. Oscar Beard 23. Will Edwards