By Tom Powell.
Harlequins are preparing to start their 2009/10 Guinness Premiership campaign against local rivals Wasps at Twickenham today as they look to put a disruptive and disastrous off-season behind them.
The club freely admit that they are glad of a distraction from the 'bloodgate' fiasco that has rocked the Stoop, resulting in the banning of winger Tom Williams and the resignations of former director of rugby Dean Richards and chairman Charles Jillings.
An expected bumper crowd of 60,000 people is expected at Rugby HQ this afternoon for a double header that features all four London clubs - with Saracens facing London Irish before the Quins versus Wasps clash later.
Wasps themselves are itching to get their domestic season underway, with director of rugby Tony Hanks preparing his new-look side for a testing opening fixture.
Hanks said: 'There is a great excitement around this fixture against our local rivals Harlequins, marking not only the start of the Guinness Premiership but for Wasps, a chance to put a long pre-season of hard work into action.
'With an influx of so many new faces this season, it is great to give our players a debut in the Wasps jersey on one of the grandest rugby stages in Twickenham.
'There is a huge awareness of the responsibility and expectation that comes of 'being a Wasp' and this acts as great motivation for a team looking to set out their standards and create their own chapter in Wasps history.'
The Acton-based side's line-up will have six new faces with Ben Jacobs, Steve Kefu, Tom Varndell, David Lemi, Dan Ward-Smith and Gabriel Bocca all ready to pull on the black and yellow jersey.
Hanks added: 'We expect a big battle and relish the challenge ahead of us - facing a Quins side that will be just as eager as us to start the season strong.
'The feeling amongst our group is good and I am sure that we will see a committed and dedicated performance that will reflect the hard work that has been shown by every single individual on and off pitch in the lead up to this game.'
Quins will have winger Gonzalo Camacho in their side for the first time while England international Ugo Monye is set to deputise at full-back in the absence of Mike Brown.
John Andress and Rory Clegg - summer signings from Exeter Chiefs and Newcastle Falcons, respectively - will have to be content with a place on the bench.
Harlequins are preparing to start their 2009/10 Guinness Premiership campaign against local rivals Wasps at Twickenham today as they look to put a disruptive and disastrous off-season behind them.
The club freely admit that they are glad of a distraction from the 'bloodgate' fiasco that has rocked the Stoop, resulting in the banning of winger Tom Williams and the resignations of former director of rugby Dean Richards and chairman Charles Jillings.
An expected bumper crowd of 60,000 people is expected at Rugby HQ this afternoon for a double header that features all four London clubs - with Saracens facing London Irish before the Quins versus Wasps clash later.
Wasps themselves are itching to get their domestic season underway, with director of rugby Tony Hanks preparing his new-look side for a testing opening fixture.
Hanks said: 'There is a great excitement around this fixture against our local rivals Harlequins, marking not only the start of the Guinness Premiership but for Wasps, a chance to put a long pre-season of hard work into action.
'With an influx of so many new faces this season, it is great to give our players a debut in the Wasps jersey on one of the grandest rugby stages in Twickenham.
'There is a huge awareness of the responsibility and expectation that comes of 'being a Wasp' and this acts as great motivation for a team looking to set out their standards and create their own chapter in Wasps history.'
The Acton-based side's line-up will have six new faces with Ben Jacobs, Steve Kefu, Tom Varndell, David Lemi, Dan Ward-Smith and Gabriel Bocca all ready to pull on the black and yellow jersey.
Hanks added: 'We expect a big battle and relish the challenge ahead of us - facing a Quins side that will be just as eager as us to start the season strong.
'The feeling amongst our group is good and I am sure that we will see a committed and dedicated performance that will reflect the hard work that has been shown by every single individual on and off pitch in the lead up to this game.'
Quins will have winger Gonzalo Camacho in their side for the first time while England international Ugo Monye is set to deputise at full-back in the absence of Mike Brown.
John Andress and Rory Clegg - summer signings from Exeter Chiefs and Newcastle Falcons, respectively - will have to be content with a place on the bench.
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