Joe Marler will make his first start of the season when Harlequins welcome Worcester to the Stoop tomorrow.
Prop Marler comes in for Santiago Garcia Botta in the only change from the champions’ team that won at Newcastle on Sunday. Dino Lamb and Cadan Murley make their 50th appearances for the club, while Andre Esterhuizen has signed a new contract.
Marler was one of seven Quins named in Eddie Jones’ squad for an England training camp this weekend. Four others start, while young hooker Sam Riley is on the bench and Marcus Smith is still on his summer holidays after the Lions tour.
The match will be the first in Premiership history to be refereed by a woman, with Sara Cox taking the whistle. Quins senior coach Tabai Matson said the development had been “a long time coming”.
“For me personally, I am really excited to be involved in a game where a woman is refereeing for the first time,” said Matson.
“I think that’s really exciting, and great for the game. For us to do it at the Stoop, it’s great to be part of something that is a first in the game. She’s doing the game because she’s a quality referee and we will be behind her 100%.”
