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English Premiership
Evans ready for derby bow
PA Sport
November 15, 2008
Quins fly-half Nick Evans is looking forward to getting back into the mix of the Premiership
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Former All Black fly-half Nick Evans is relishing his return to action in time to face Wasps at Twickenham Stoop tomorrow. Evans is restored to the Harlequins starting line-up for the first time since sustaining a knee injury in the opening game of the season, a 24-21 victory over Saracens. And the big-money summer arrival is eager to receive further exposure to a capital derby against troubled Wasps, who sit second from bottom in the Guinness Premiership table. "It's going to be my first experience of a derby match between the two big London clubs, but I can imagine how intense it will be,'' he said. "I played in some pretty big games back home between Otago and Canterbury and I'm really looking forward to the atmosphere these kinds of games generate." England trio Danny Care, Ugo Monye and Nick Easter are in action at Twickenham today so Quins have called-up Andy Gomarsall, Seb Stegmann and Tom Guest to plug the gaps. Wasps are also suffering from the international schedule, missing nine players. Josh Lewsey moves to the centre, Jeremy Staunton starts at fly-half, Mossy Lawler comes onto the wing and Lachlan Mitchell is selected in the number 12 jersey. "We know the challenge that we face throughout the international period," said Wasps coach Ian McGeechan. But as a club we are delighted for our nine players who will run out for their country this weekend." Saracens and Gloucester clash for a possible place in the play-offs with victory potentially lifting either team into the top four. Springbok forward and World Cup winner Wikus van Heerden is named on Saracens' bench for the first time since joining the club two weeks ago. "Van Heerden was the best back row in this year's Currie Cup and his strength and physical approach makes him ideally suited to the English game," said director of rugby Eddie Jones. Gloucester scrum-half Dave Lewis, 19, starts a Premiership match for the first time after impressing against Newcastle two weeks ago. Centre Anthony Allen returns after recovering from ankle ligament damage while Olly Morgan, back after a hamstring problem, is restored at full-back. Mike Catt features as fly-half in London Irish's trip to Newcastle with Shane Geraghty switching to inside centre to accommodate. Nick Kennedy, dropped by England following his debut against the Pacific Islanders, returns to the second row. Northampton are without Sean Lamont for their clash with Bristol so Bruce Reihana switches to the wing. © Scrum.com
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