Harlequins stalwart Danny Care is set to break the Club’s appearance record this week as he becomes the first player to represent the London club on 352 occasions.
Equalling former Quin and long-time teammate, at club and national level, Mike Brown away against London Irish earlier this month, Care will start at scrum-half alongside Tommy Allan this Friday away to Gloucester as he becomes the most capped player in Harlequins’ history.
Care first joined Harlequins in 2006 from Leeds Tykes, going on to establish himself as a regular England international, with 87 caps to his name, and a bona fide Harlequins legend.
Care has been central to two of the biggest days in the Club’s history, starting in the 2012 and 2021 Premiership-winning sides; as well as the 2011 Challenge Cup final.
Elsewhere in the matchday squad this week, there are four changes to the Starting XV that fell to defeat against London Irish. Jack Musk, James Chisholm, Luke Wallace and Cadan Murley all return to the starting line-up. Chisholm earns his first start of the campaign, having returned from injury last time out.
Centre Luke Northmore returns to the matchday squad in the 23 jersey amongst the Impact Players this week as he completes a long-awaited return from injury, having last played for Quins in the return fixture when Gloucester travelled to The Stoop in November last year.
Further changes see hooker Sam Riley and back row Matas Jurevicius return to the matchday squad amongst the Impact Players as they look to add energy and dynamism to the field during the latter stages of the contest.
Heading into this fixture following a weekend without rugby, Harlequins Head Coach Tabai Matson said: “Last week’s training was really useful. We got to work on things we haven’t worked on for a while and recalibrate a little bit.
“We haven’t quite got over the line over the last four games and this Friday night, away on the road, is a really important one to keep us on track.
“Kingsholm Stadium is a fantastic ground. The last time we were there we had a great game and it was one of our best performances of the year. We’ll have to be at that level again to get a result this week.
“It’s really clear what’s coming against Gloucester. George [Skivington, Gloucester Head Coach] has the team very well organised. They’re a consistent side in terms of their big weapons, so we have plenty of challenges across the key aspects of the game.”
Commenting on Danny Care’s record-breaking 352nd appearance for the Club, Matson said: “Of course, a special mention has to go to Danny Care this week. DC is one of the all-time great Harlequins and it’s a huge achievement for him to break the appearance record for the Club.
“For me longevity is the true test of the greatest. Many amazing players come and go but the greats leave a stamp on multiple generations at a club and Danny has clearly done that!
“It’s a testament to his professionalism in how he prepares and recovers each week that he has remained at the highest level of the game for such a long time. This is a special moment for him, his family and our Club and I hope he enjoys every moment.”
Harlequins Starting XV
1. Joe Marler (259) – Captain
2. Jack Musk (34)
3. Wilco Louw (60)
4. Dino Lamb (75)
5. Irne Herbst (16)
6. James Chisholm (127)
7. Luke Wallace (192)
8. Tom Lawday (71)
9. Danny Care (351)
10. Tommy Allan (28)
11. Josh Bassett (10)
12. Andre Esterhuizen (62)
13. Oscar Beard (23)
14. Cadan Murley (92)
15. Nick David (25)
Impact Players
16. Sam Riley (22)
17. Fin Baxter (18)
18. Simon Kerrod (91)
19. George Hammond (35)
20. Matas Jurevicius (17)
21. Scott Steele (27)
22. Will Edwards (24)
23. Luke Northmore (52)
