Harlequins confident Jack Kenningham can fill the Evans No.7 role

JACK KENNINGHAM has been backed to ‘fill the void’ left by season-ending broken leg Will Evans suffered against London Irish two weeks ago.

Kenningham, 21, a former Quins season-ticket holder who made his full debut against Newcastle Falcons in February, has the full backing of scrumcoach Adam Jones.

Jones says that Kenningham, who starts against Wasps, is one of the players that has flown under the radar but has never let the club down when called upon.

“He played his first game against Newcastle and picked up four turnovers, so he is no mug,” Jones said. “Jack is a bit taller than Will and looks gangly.

“He is a bit unorthodox the way he runs and tackles, but is a very good player and we’re confident he will fill the void.

“Will was very unlucky with that injury; he is up to something like 30 turnovers – way more than anyone else. Nobody talks about Will much, but he has been a different level for us this year.

“If he was fit, he would be pushing for the summer internationals.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Will Evans (@_willevans_)

Former Tavistock pasty shop worker Luke Northmore starts at inside centre in place of the suspended Andre Esterhuizen for Quins, who sit fourth in the table after Sale beat Leicester on Friday night. Jones says that Northmore is another player who doesn’t get the credit he deserves because of the route he took into the professional game.

“He hasn’t come through the traditional system. He has come through Cardiff Met like Alex Dombrandt, but his lines of attack and his running are unreal,” Jones said.

Captain Stephan Lewies returns to start for the first time since March as Quins look to consolidate their top four position.

Jones added: “We knew we had to win the games against Worcester and London Irish to keep ourselves in the mix and keep momentum going, which we did. It’s simple, we win our last few games we finish in the top four, so it is all down to us. We have learnt a lot from the Bristol game, where we lost with the last kick.

“Dai Young leaving last season and Lee Blackett going in, mirrors what is happening to us. They haven’t become a bad team overnight.”

England coach Eddie Jones will be an interested spectator with Paolo Odogwu set to switch to outside centre for Wasps with Zach Kibirige on the right wing.

James Gaskell returns from injury at lock, while captain Brad Shields shifts to blindside to allow Tom Willis a start at No.8.

■By NEIL FISSLER