Mike Brown set for return after recovering from septicaemia

Mike Brown will make his first appearance since England's summer tour of Australia on Saturday after recovering from septicaemia.

Brown missed Harlequins’ first two matches of the new Aviva Premiership campaign after being hospitalised by the potentially life-threatening blood infection during pre-season.

The 31-year-old fullback spent five days under medical supervision and lost 6kgs, but has now been given the all-clear to start at full-back against Exeter.

"Mike is fit and raring to go. It was a nasty infection and we still don't actually know what was completely at the root of it," Quins director of rugby John Kingston said.

“He’s had to work really hard to get himself fit because he lost a lot of weight while that took place. It was important that we looked after him after he left hospital.

“Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise because it’s a long season again and he’s inadvertently found himself starting two or three weeks later than some of the other guys. Maybe he’ll benefit from that later in the season.”

Quins have endured a disappointing start to the 2016-17 Premiership, narrowly defeating Bristol before losing at Sale, and they head to Exeter with mixed news on the injury front.

Brown will be joined in the starting XV by England colleague Joe Marler, who has recovered from a dead arm, but centre Jamie Roberts and outhalf Nick Evans are out with respective foot and groin problems.

Once Exeter have been negotiated, Quins face matches against title challengers Saracens, Wasps and Northampton, prompting Kingston to praise the timing of Brown’s return.

“It’s brilliant to have him back because he’s the best fullback in England in my opinion — and in England’s opinion,” he said.

“We want all of our good players available and we’ve had a boost from him being back, bringing with him all the assurance and quality that we all know he’s got.

“We’ve got some big games coming up and he’s a competitor and winner. Having him back makes a big difference.”