By Quinten Poulsen
October 15 2010

Bottom of the pool Harlequins play their first European home game this season on Saturday, against the little-known Italians Cavalieri Prato, who scored a late try to beat Connacht last weekend.

Rugby Club I Cavalieri Prato has only been in existence for 10 years, having been formed from three separate clubs. This year saw a further merge, and they are now a franchise representing rugby in Tuscany. Thank you Wiki.

They play in the Super 10 league in Italy, and in their first season competing, in 2009/10, they finished 5^th which saw them qualify for this season's Amlin European Challenge Cup. Thank you Wiki.

To their credit the squad is mainly comprised of Italian players, with just a smattering of Argentinians and the odd Colonial. Plus an English chap whose brother plays for Leeds. Thank you Wiki.

Their game against Connacht last Saturday didn't start too well for them, and at one point in the second half they were trailing 18 – 3. However, they fought back well to score two tries to win 23 – 21, and now sit second in Pool 1 level on points behind Bayonne. Thank you Planet Rugby.

Bayonne made the most of some atrocious weather on Sunday in beating Quins 16 – 12. The Heavens opened a day or two before the game and remained open until Harlequins had gone down in a brave but ultimately futile display. Quins had fought well to get a half time lead thanks to some fine tee-kicking from Nick Evans. In contrast the home side kickers were having a miserable time trying to score points thanks to the rain of truly Biblical proportions. Quins had their chance to win the game late on with some excellent pressure on the Bayonne line, but a punch here and some back-chat there meant they found themselves back down the field, and their chance was gone. Some poor decision making from players who should know better was perhaps the difference between the win and loss. That said, maybe the key moment was Bayonne's second try – Brown totally fooled by the ball stopping dead in a puddle the size of the Red Sea. Thank you God.

Harlequins put out a fairly inexperienced side, and while it's a risk worth taking these players will need to show some guts and guile to win the game. The weather forecast is for sunshine and a few showers, and it may feel slightly chilly – but nothing in theory to prevent some good open attacking rugby.

Tom Casson gets his second start at inside centre, with Ollie Smith continuing to hold on to the 13 shirt. The back 3 has speed aplenty, and Ross Chisholm makes his European debut at full back and will hopefully show his exciting attacking prowess in conjunction with Camacho and Williams. Newly re-signed Rory Clegg partners Karl Dickson at half back which should mean that Clegg gets a little more time for his decision making. At times Clegg's passing can be superb, and he already has a good understanding with Casson from their very good displays together in the England U20s.

Joe Gray makes his first team debut between the experienced Ceri Jones and behemoth James Johnston. With Andress, Brooker and Lambert on the bench this perhaps shows that Kingston and O'Shea are taking the game more seriously than some of our fans are suggesting. George Robson starts for the first time this season – welcome back, Danger – and Pete Browne gets another deserved chance at lock having looked pretty good so far with his limited chances. Tomas Vallejos, one of our best forwards of the last several weeks, plays in his favoured blindside position with Skinner and Guest completing the back row -  Skinner captains the side.

There is more young talent on the bench with Wallace, Moore, Urdapilleta and Sam Smith keeping it warm along with Ollie Kohn.

Despite the lack of experience in certain positions this really should be a game that Quins win, and win well. The crowd will be a bit smaller than usual so let's all do some extra shouting and cheering and make the home advantage really tell. Ultimately, we should have enough to see off this lot. Thank you Derek Quin.