Nick Evans is out of action for at least three weeks after injuring his ankle in Harlequins’ Heineken Cup opener against Biarritz on Saturday.
The outside-half must wear a protective boot after a scan revealed damaged ligaments and Quins are hoping he will return for the Aviva Premiership clash at Bath on November 23.
In the absence of Evans, who played a key role in Quins’ Premiership title triumph last season, Rory Clegg and Ben Botica will battle for the No10 jersey, starting with Saturday’s Heineken Cup match against Connacht in Ireland.
Evans is likely to be sidelined for four games. He will be sorely missed for the Premiership matches against London Irish and Gloucester but his absence will not be so keenly felt for the LV=Cup clashes which follow with Bath and Worcester.
Meanwhile, Quins hooker Rob Buchanan, who is impressing in the No2 shirt vacated by the injured Joe Gray, is revelling in the club’s European challenge.
Buchanan said: “We had a six-week block of Premiership action and the change of focus is important because it’s nice to break it up.
“Having a different mental test helps tremendously. Rugby is tough mentally and it is a long season so even after six weeks it becomes tough to concentrate on one competition.
“Winning against Biarritz last weekend will stand us in good stead and we hope to continue building on our form and keep the momentum flowing from game to game.”
