Preview: Harlequins v Worcester

The return of George Robson and Tom Williams from injury will help bolster Harlequins as they prepare for Saturday's Guinness Premiership clash against Worcester.

After Quins' emphatic win against Northampton Saints at the Stoop a fortnight ago, Quins will be looking to keep their unbeaten league record at the Stoop (which has stood since the loss against Saracens on September 22) with a win over the Warriors.

Last time the two teams clashed was away at Sixways, where Quins won their first away victory of the season with a 26-22 win over the home side.

There are only two changes to the starting line-up that lost to London Irish last Sunday.

Robson returns to partner James Percival in the second row and Williams returns to the wing. Lewis Stevenson starts on the bench in place of Tomas Vallejos, and Nils Mordt returns to be 23rd man.

Meanwhile, Worcester fly-half Matthew Jones will start his first Guinness Premiership match this season.

Jones replaces Willie Walker, who is ruled out with a hand injury, as Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock makes five changes to the side that defeated Newcastle Falcons.

Four changes in the pack see England international Matt Mullan and Chris Fortey named in the front row.

Lock Greg Rawlinson is also recalled, after missing the Falcons game with a virus, and Tom Wood is named in the back row alongside Pat Sanderson, who will captain his 100th game for Warriors in the top-flight.

"I've decided to make a few changes after our victory over Newcastle Falcons. Some of those changes have been forced due to injury, for example Willie Walker drops out and Matthew Jones comes in," said Ruddock.

"Other changes are players returning to the squad following international duty, such as Alex Grove and Matt Mullan.

"Greg Rawlinson has recovered from his virus to be selected and Tom Wood is back in after a short spell on the bench.

"Chris Fortey returns up front after playing so well against Saracens a few weeks ago and fully deserves another chance.

"The front row take a lot of contact and we will have played four Guinness Premiership games and two LV= Cup games in quick succession, it is important to share the load."

"Harlequins are a very good side and they will be a tough nut to crack on their own patch," added Ruddock.

"They will have heard we performed well against Newcastle and it will stir up their efforts to want to beat us.

"They certainly can't be underestimated, particularly at home, you have only got to see what they did to Northampton a few weeks ago when they blitzed them. They have real quality in their squad.

"It is tight in the Guinness Premiership at the moment, but we will keep looking up and that will keep our performances going on a positive note."

Form: Harlequins have won the last seven encounters between the two teams in the Guinness Premiership since Worcester won 15-9 at the Stoop on 19 February 2005. Harlequins only victory in their last five matches in the Guinness Premiership was 13-6 over Northampton at the Twickenham Stoop on 20 February. Quins are attempting to win back to back home games in the Premiership for the first time this season! Worcester Warriors' ten match winless streak ended with their 13-0 victory over Newcastle at Sixways on Friday. The Warriors have won just once on the road in the Guinness Premiership since November 2008: 13-6 at Gloucester on 21 April 2009.

The teams:

Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 David Strettle, 13 George Lowe, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Tom Williams, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Karl Dickson, 8 Tom Guest, 7 Will Skinner (c), 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 George Robson, 4 James Percival,3 John Andress, 2 Matt Cairns, 1 Ceri Jones.
Replacements: 16 Tani Fuga, 17 Aston Croall, 18 James Johnston, 19 Lewis Stevenson, 20 Chris York, 21 steve So'oialo, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Nils Mordt.

Worcester: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Chris Pennell, 13 Dale Rasmussen, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Matthew Jones, 9 Jonny Arr, 8 Kai Horstmann, 7 Pat Sanderson (c), 6 Tom Wood, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 Greg Rawlinson, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Chris Fortey, 1 Matt Mullan.
Replacements: 16 Adam Black, 17 Aleki Lutui, 18 Olivier Sourgens, 19 Graham Kitchener, 20 Chris Cracknell, 21 Ryan Powell, 22 Calum MacRae, 23 Alex Grove.

Date: Saturday, March 6
Venue: The Stoop
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Referee: Greg Garner
Assistant referees: Alan Biggs, Andy Watson
Television match official: Roy Marfleet