Rugby: Quins pin hopes on Wood

Ailing Harlequins are hoping the return of talismanic Ireland captain Keith Wood will provide them with a speedy hangover cure.

Quins need to quickly bounce back from their heart-breaking Powergen Cup semi-final defeat by London Irish if they are to maintain their hopes of survival in the Zurich Premiership.

Last weekend’s misery was compounded by Leeds’ victory over Bristol, a result that lifted the Yorkshiremen five points clear of Mark Evans’ men and worsened their increasingly desperate plight at the foot of the table.

In addition, Quins have lost full-back David Slemen and flanker Pat Sanderson through injury, but the return of the hugely influential Wood for the visit of fellow beaten semi-finalists Newcastle to the Stoop tomorrow is a timely tonic.

Wood, sidelined with a calf muscle injury since mid-December, takes over the captaincy and the hooking role from Ace Tiatia in one of five changes to the Cup semi-final side.

Former Queensland Red Tu Tamarua comes in for Sanderson, Ben Gollings replaces Slemen after being controversially recalled from England Sevens duty, Matt Moore takes over from struggling England wing Dan Luger and centre Chris Bell replaces Nick Burrows.

‘‘Although I thought Ace Tiatia was outstanding, obviously Keith plays a big leadership role within the side and I am sure that his return will give everyone in the team a bit of boost,’’ said director of rugby Evans.

‘‘It’s not about one guy he won’t wave a magic wand but clearly he’s a world-class player and the team will improve with his presence.

‘‘Also from the foreign player angle, I want to use Tamarua and so it gives me a bit more flexibility.’’

Evans insists that his players have fully recovered from their shattering semi-final defeat and are geared up to battle for their top-flight lives.

‘‘Sunday wasn’t very pleasant but by the time we got back to work on Monday and started focusing on the next challenge, they were fine,’’ he said. ‘‘You just get on with it.

‘‘Morale is fine, we’re just not winning any games. But we won’t be rolling over for anybody.’’

Quins still have six games, including a home fixture with Leeds in the penultimate round, to preserve their Premiership status and Evans insists that their fate remains in their own hands, even though four of their matches are away from home.

‘‘I can’t control what Leeds do,’’ he said. ‘‘We’ve got to focus on what we’re doing. If we don’t win games, it doesn’t matter what anyone else does.

‘‘There are enough games left, it’s in our own hands. If we can put a run together, we’ll be fine. If not, we’ll be in trouble.

‘‘We’ve got to be confident. I don’t underestimate the task but I’m confident.’’

Elsewhere, England back row forward Lawrence Dallaglio will make his long-awaited return from a knee injury for Wasps at Sale.

Dallaglio will start on the bench for his first appearance since rupturing his ligaments on Lions duty during the summer.

The game at Heywood Road will be the first for new Wasps coach Warren Gatland and features a clash of former league legends Martin Offiah and Jason Robinson, who between them scored a staggering 357 tries for Wigan.

With back rows Alex Sanderson and Phil Davies on the treatment table, Sale are hoping a potential crisis will be eased by the return of fly-half Charlie Hodgson and back rows Apollo Perelini and Stuart Pinkerton, who are included in a 23-man squad.

Sharks coach Jim Mallinder includes a new face in Matt Parr, a second or back row forward who captained England Schools last season.

Leeds face a difficult trip to Franklin’s Gardens to take on in-form Cup finalists Northampton, who once more have Test forwards Tom Smith and Steve Thompson on the bench.

Flanker Dan Hyde has been ruled out of the Tykes team after having stitches in cuts above and below the eye and his replacement is James Ponton as Leeds seek to make it three wins in a row.

‘‘Last weekend was a tremendous result but one thing we have spoken about as a team is not getting carried away,’’ said Tykes director of rugby Phil Davies.

‘‘We set ourselves goals over the past two months and we are on target to reach those goals, but we need to remain focused because we have achieved nothing yet.’’

Gloucester have Henry Paul in their line-up for the top-of-the-table clash with leaders Leicester at Welford Road tomorrow.

A four-point win for the Tigers will put them 15 points clear of their nearest rivals and allow them to put one hand on the trophy.

Leicester wing Ollie Smith will deputise for the injured Leon Lloyd after the club refused to release him for the World Sevens Series.

Flanker Craig Short, who has missed Bristol’s last two games with a rib injury, is set to return for the trip to London Irish, who can expect a heroes’ welcome at the Madejski Stadium.