NEC Harlequins have a 27-man squad in Glasgow for their opening pre-season friendly against the Warriors tonight and will give debuts to three of their five new signings; Nathan Williams at full back and props Laurent Gomez and Pablo Cardinalli.

Viliame Satala's debut is put on hold as the Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens silver medallist has been ordered back to Fiji by his government to take part in a parade and celebration following their successes at the Games.

"The original plan was for Vili to join us straight after the games," said Mike Scott, Quins Team Manager. "But he was asked to return by the Fijian government and will miss tonight's game. However, he will return in time for us to play in Bezier next Wednesday (14th August 2002)."



Quins were planning to rest their other Commonwealth Games stars, who were gutted at missing out on a medal, but an achilles tendon injury to Roy Winters and the non-availability of Andre Vos means a call-up for England international flank forward Pat Sanderson.

Winters is expected to be missing from the Quins line-up for up to six months and with South African signing Vos still a few months away from joining the squad, Quins will be taking a special interest in the performances of former Oxford University pair Luke Sherriff and Simon Miall, who are both guaranteed some playing time.

Kai Horsmann should also see some match action in what will be a crucial area of the game. Tony Diprose and Daryl Griffin make up the other back row options, although both Jim Evans and Ace Tiatia could operate there if necessary.

The front row could see Quins throw a lot of beef into the arena with Frenchman Laurent Gomez, Tiatia and Jason Leonard weighing in at around 60 stone plus, and with Keith Wood, Bruce Starr and Pablo Cardinalli all available, Quins will have plenty of options up front.

Mark Evans and Assistant Coach Paul Turner will take a special interest in the second row that will feature England international Alex Codling pairing up with Bill Davison and youngsters Karl Rudzki and Jim Evans, whilst at half back Dave Slemen and Scott Bemand will be looking to put their marker down to challenge the Matthew Powell / Paul Burke combination.

Satala's absence allows Nick Greenstock and Chris Bell to set their stall out for a permanent place to partner Will Greenwood, although both players can play on the wing, where Ugo Monye will be looking to show his searing pace to challenge current incumbents Matt Moore and Rob Jewell.

Glasgow meanwhile have an injury list 'a mile long' according to new coach Kiwi Searancke, and will have to contend with the absence of Glenn Metcalfe, Dave Hilton, Roland Reid, Steve Griffiths, Michael Bartlett and Chris Black.

The home side will give debuts to Stuart Moffat, Ben Daly and Rory McKay but can still field quality in the shape of former Bath favourite Andy Nicol, Cameron Blades and Allan Bulloch.

Tonight's match is being played at Hughenden and kick-off is at 7.30pm.

Quins starting XV: Williams, Monye, Bell, Greenwood, Moore, Burke, Powell, Starr, Wood, Gomez, Rudzki, Miall, Griffin, Sherriff, Diprose

Replacements: Jewell, Greenstock, Slemen, Bemand, Leonard, Cardinalli, Tiatia, Codling, Davison, Evans, Sanderson, Horsmann

Glasgow Warriors starting XV: S.Moffat, J.Steel, A.Bulloch, A.Henderson, I.McInroy, C.Howarth, A.Nicol (capt), C.Blades, B.Daly, L.Harrison, N.Ross, A.Hall, R.McKay, D.Macfadyen, J.Petrie