Tough first mission for Brian

Harlequins' new head Coach Brian McDermott faces a tough initiation this Friday night when his team heads north to face the Saints. It will be the third game between these sides this season with the Londoners yet to see a victory against the league leaders.

Saints easily accounted for Quins on the opening weekend at the Stoop (40-16) and then again got the points at home in round eight albeit in a much closer contest (16-6).

Quins have added prop forwards Filimone Lolohea (broken hip) and Karle Temata (knee) to their season-ending injury list.

With long term injuries to Danny Williams and Solomon Haumono it gives Brian McDermott's team few options up front but plenty in the halves. Thomas Leuluai missed last week's home win against the Tigers (34-26) with a back problem yet joins Luke Dorn (elbow) in making a return. Tim Hartley and Michael Worrincy have also been included in the 20-man squad.

After seeing off Les Catalans last week (52-16) St Helens have added both Willie Talau and Lee Gilmour to their squad.

Brian McDermott is looking forward to his first match in charge: "We've only had a few days together but it's all been very positive."

We're on our way up North as we speak and we're going there with nothing but a strong performance in mind."

We're not expecting any radical changes to the way we play but I do hope to enhance some of the work Tony (Rea) has already done."

In other news Warrington Wolves' back-rower, Paul Noone will join Harlequins RL until the end of the season.  Noone has been involved with the Wolves for more than ten years having made his Super League debut at Warrington in 2000. He has played 119 Super League games for the Wolves in seven seasons including fourteen this year.  He will arrive in London on Monday and commence training on Tuesday in preparation for Quins next home game against Hull FC on Saturday 22nd July.

Friday night's game against St Helens will be broadcast live on BBC London 94.9fm from 8pm.

Coach Brian McDermott will appear on the Quins RL segment on BBC London 94.9fm tonight (Thursday) from 9pm.

St Helens: Wellens, Gardner, Lyon, Talau, Pryce, Long, Fozzard, Cunningham, Cayless, Gilmour, Wilkin, Roby, Hooper, P. Anderson, V. Anderson, Graham, Hardman, Moore, Fa'asavalu, Smith.

Harlequins: Bradley-Qalilawa, Budworth, Dorn, Gafa, Heckenberg, Hopkins, Leuluai, Lucky Luisi, Mbu, McLinden, Mills, Paul, Purdham, Randall, Smith, Tookey, Hartley, Weisner, Worrincy.

Referee: P Bentham

St Helens v Harlequins, Knowsley Road, Friday July 14, Kick-off 8pm