Joe Marler will run out for Harlequins this weekend as he seeks some game time ahead of England’s clash with Wales at Twickenham.
The loosehead prop has come off the bench in both of England’s first two games of the 2022 Guinness Six Nations, while he missed some of the preparation for the Championship after testing positive for Covid.
As a result, he will line up for Harlequins against Wasps in the Gallagher Premiership in a game that sees Jack Willis make his first appearance since he suffered a serious knee injury against Italy in the 2021 Championship.
Elsewhere leaders Leicester Tigers will be without the likes of Ellis Genge and Freddie Steward but welcome back Joe Heyes for their clash with Bath.
And on Friday night, Callum Sheedy will look to build on the form he showed in Wales’ win over Scotland when he lines up for Bristol Bears against Worcester Warriors, for whom Duhan van der Merwe will be out to impress.
In the United Rugby Championship, the weekend provides some opportunities for fringe players to impress, with Jordan Larmour looking to impress for Leinster against the Ospreys, while Robert Baloucoune and James Hume will be hoping to do the same against the Dragons.
Over in France, Thomas Ramos starts for champions Toulouse as they look to end a run of five defeats in a row in all competitions against Pau.
Ramos has been on the bench for France in each of their first two games in the Championship and starts at fly-half in this one, while Matthis Lebel will be keen to shine on the wing as he pushes to take the injured Gabin Villière’s spot in next week’s trip to Scotland.
Italy’s Paolo Garbisi is also in action in the Top 14, starting for Montpellier in their clash with Brive, starting in a side that also features the recently-recalled Mohamed Haouas at tighthead.
