Rugby Union: Quins pick home talent

HARLEQUINS seem to wonder why they have developed an unfortunate reputation for acquisitiveness, and as they believe it is undeserved they were glad last night to reveal a Pilkington Cup final 21 made up in the main of their own talent, writes Steve Bale.

Thus seven of those who will either start or be on the bench against Leicester at Twickenham are products of Quins' own under-21 side, and another eight have been with the club ever since their college days.

The flighty Quins have clearly been misunderstood . . . Why, the players have even preferred one of their long-standing players, the prop Andy Mullins, to a more recent arrival - the England and Lions hooker, Brian Moore - as their captain for next season. Mullins won a solitary cap against Fiji in 1989.

Richard Langhorn, who missed last season's defeat by Bath after being sent off, along with Mick Skinner, one week before the final, will play this time, his calf injury having cleared up just in time. Langhorn for Simon Dear at lock and the England captain, Will Carling, at centre for Mark Evans are the only changes from the side who squeezed out Wasps in the semi- final.

Harlequins (v Leicester, Twickenham, 1 May): K Bray; C Madderson, W Carling, G Thompson, J Alexander; P Challinor, R Glenister; J Leonard, B Moore, A Mullins, A Snow, R Langhorn, M Russell, C Sheasby, P Winterbottom. Replacements: R Goodwin, S Thresher, M Evans, M Hobley, S Dear, N Killick.