In the front row Mike Worsley starts at Loose head prop, while in the back line Ben Willis, George Harder, Simon Keogh and Gavin Duffy all start for the first time. Players not considered due to injury were Chris Bell, Karl Rudzki, Josh Taumalolo, Mel Deane and Roy Winters, with Josh, Mel and Roy all due to be back in action within the next week to ten days.

"The opening game of the season is always a difficult game, and with us facing last season's champions we know that we will be in for a very tough battle," said NEC Harlequins Chief Executive Mark Evans. "We had two very difficult games against Wasps last season, and I am sure that we will face the same tomorrow. There is obviously a lot of excitement around the squad at the beginning of the season, and we hope to transfer this into a fine performance for our loyal supporters."

15 Gavin Duffy
14 Simon Keogh
13 George Harder
12 Andy Reay
11 Ugo Monye
10 Paul Burke
9 Ben Willis
1 Mike Worsley
2 Ace Tiatia
3 Jon Dawson
4 Bill Davison
5 Simon Miall
6 Pat Sanderson
7 Andre Vos
8 Tony Diprose

16 Tani Fuga
17 Ceri Jones
18 Jim Evans
19 Luke Sherriff
20 Henry Barrett
21 Andy Dunne
22 Matt Moore