Varndell: Back for Wasps

Rugby director David Young admits it has been "a very difficult week" following news of a planned takeover deal falling through, sparking fears that Wasps could enter administration.

"I would be lying if I said that what has happened isn't in the back of people's minds, but we have to control what we can control and let the off-field stuff take care of itself," Young said.

"We have our own job to do and our job is to make sure we are in this league next year.

"After a very difficult week, I think Harlequins is the ideal game for us to play. We are up against the top-of-the-table team, so we have to go out and show what we are made of.

"From our point of view, every game is a cup final for us at this point, and we know what a great team we are up against on Saturday.

"We have to come out of the blocks well this weekend because if Harlequins get their noses in front, there will be no coming back."

England captain Chris Robshaw is back to lead Quins after missing last week's Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat against Toulon. Fly-half Nick Evans is again absent through injury, but scrum-half Danny Care returns and there is a chance for wing Sam Smith.

Wing Tom Varndell returns for Wasps after three months out injured, but an arm problem sidelines skipper Hugo Southwell, so Richard Haughton moves to full-back and lock Richard Birkett captains the team. Changes up front see starts for prop Tim Payne, hooker Tom Lindsay and flanker Jonathan Poff.

An unlikely Wasps victory would effectively mean they cannot finish bottom of the Premiership, provided relegation favourites Newcastle - who are without a league away win for 14 months - do not win at Gloucester.