On the back of a successful pre-season, Director of Rugby Tony Hanks makes only two changes to the 1XV that secured a 36-17 win over Glasgow last weekend. Amongst the backs debutant Berry, who joined the Club from Racing Metro in the summer, comes in for Joe Simpson who is ruled out with a tight hamstring. Berry partners with the returning Flutey, named at fly half, whilst a strong centre partnership of Waldouck and Jacobs is complemented with wingers Haughton and Varndell. Mark Van Gisbergen is named at full back and also acts as first choice kicker.

In the pack, John Hart has been ruled out late with a shoulder injury and makes way for Powell who pulls on black and gold for the first time since signing with the Club in July. A strong front row features a rejuvenated Phil Vickery, back to form after a strong pre-season and recovery from a neck injury which limited game time last season. Club stalwarts Birkett, Shaw and Worsley, with a staggering 826 Club appearances between them, are named alongside Captain Rees who completes the line up.

Strength and depth is also seen on the bench with regulars Broster, Taulafo, Betsen, Ward-Smith and Walder joining young guns Tom Lindsay, Jack Wallace and new signing scrum half Charlie Davies.

Looking ahead to the game, Hanks said, "There's a real sense of excitement going into this game. We are ready to play and eager to get the competition underway. Pre-season has been productive and there has been the right amount of time for us to prepare, often you can go into a season wanting more time, but there is a real desire to get out there and play this year which is really positive for us.

"Whilst we still have a couple of niggles and feel the frustration of players like Joe Simpson (hamstring), John Hart (shoulder) and Christian Wade (wrist) who were all very much in contention for this game, we are confident in the depth of this squad and look forward to seeing our new signings mark a make alongside our regulars.
"With over 70,000 fans at Twickenham there is no better way to open a season and we know it will be a highly competitive game against our local rival Quins."

London Wasps team to face Harlequins:
15 Mark Van Gisbergen
14 Richard Haughton
13 Ben Jacobs
12 Dom Waldouck
11 Tom Varndell
10 Riki Flutey
9 Nic Berry

1 Tim Payne
2 Rob Webber
3 Phil Vickery
4 Simon Shaw
5 Richard Birkett
6 Joe Worsley
7 Tom Rees (c)
8 Andy Powell
Replacements:
16 Tom Lindsay
17 Zak Taulafo
18 Ben Broster
19 Dan Ward-Smith
20 Serge Betsen
21 Charlie Davies
22 Dave Walder
23 Jack Wallace