Harlequins Director of Rugby Conor O'Shea

Conor O’Shea forced into major changes

Harlequins have lost a dozen players, not to mention skipper Chris Robshaw, to England, Saxons and U20s squads ahead of their final LV= Cup group match away at Cardiff Blues this weekend.

However, Conor O’Shea has selected a strong squad as Ross Chisholm continues at full back alongside Seb Stegmann and Sam Smith in the back three.

George Lowe and Tom Casson are in the centre while Karl Dickson returns from injury at scrum half with Rory Clegg outside him at fly half.

Rob Buchanan starts at hooker with Tim Fairbrother and Nic Mayhew propping either side.

Tomas Vallejos and Pete Browne take their place in the second row while Luke Wallace, Tom Guest and captain Will Skinner make up the back row.

Darryl Marfo, Will Collier and Mark Lambert will provide the front row cover joined by Charlie Matthews and Joe Trayfoot on the bench for the back five.

Richard Bolt will cover Dickson at scrum half with Ben Urdapilleta and sevens star, Ollie Lindsay-Hague covering the remainder of the backs.

Harlequins: Chisholm, Stegmann, Lowe, Casson, Smith, Clegg, Dickson, Mayhew, Buchanan, Fairbrother, Vallejos, Browne, York, Skinner, Guest

Replacements: Marfo, Lambert, Collier, Matthews, Trayfoot, Bolt, Urdapilleta, Lindsay-Hague