A COLOURFUL PERFORMANCE AWAITS?

So game number four is one which is often dubbed as a clash of styles. The side who likes to play against a side who likes to stop sides playing. No one would pretend that Saturday's game in NW4 was a flowing feast of rugby, but given the significance of the result, it was a case of "never mind the quality, feel the win", and no less savoured as a result. In truth, though, that's an oversimplification; the paradox is that Saracens have what seems to be a constant game plan, but also the ability and quality to counter attack and score some fine tries, probably all the more eye-catching given how incisive they are, and how few phases are involved. Quins, at their best, still remain one of the best sides to watch, however, often, faced with a committed defence and kicking game such as Saracens, their multi-phase game can gain little ground as they are forced into mistakes, and they have started this season uncertainly. Given quick ball, and with the duo of scrum half Danny Care and fly half Nick Evans still very much in situ, they can hurt sides, as Sarries found last season when the half back duo were instrumental in the hosts' first two tries, on a day when George Kruis suffered concussion and Rhys Gill was red carded as the visitors' unbeaten start ended in the ninth game.

 

In a season which was to be the swansong of the Conor O'Shea era as he moved onto the Italy role after five seasons having restored pride to the club in the aftermath of "Bloodgate", the South West London club lacked the consistency to even reach the top six let alone the play-offs, but had the perfect opportunity to send their Director of Rugby off with some more silverware as they reached the final of the European Champions Cup in Lyon, but were well beaten by Montpellier. For all that, they made a decent start to the last campaign in the run up to that 29-23 win against Sarries, as they opened the season by beating Wasps and then claimed a losing bonus point at Leicester before claiming victories at Bath and at home to Sale, losing by a point at Exeter, and earning an easy home success over London Irish. The classic 39 all draw with Gloucester in the Twickenham Big Game was followed by a win at Worcester, and Quins stood third after beating Saracens, looking well capable of finishing in the top four and justifying the squad investment in the likes of James Horwill and Jamie Roberts. 

 

Unexpectedly, though, the league season unravelled, with the remaining 13 matches bringing just four victories: at home to Leicester, Bath and Newcastle and at London Irish, whilst they lost their next three games after toppling Sarries: undone at Newcastle, at home to Northampton and at Gloucester, with further reverses at Wasps, Sale, Northampton and Saracens and even at home to Worcester. O'Shea's final game at the Stoop was a 62-24 crushing by final-bound Exeter, although they had at least overcome London Irish and Grenoble in knock-out matches at the Stoop. Having stabilised the club between the departure of Dean Richards and arrival of O'Shea, John Kingston was appointed as the new Director of Rugby. Squad changes ahead of the new campaign saw Nick Easter retire and take on a coaching job, whilst fly half Ben Botica, guilty of some costly mistakes in certain games, left for Montpellier and Ollie Lindsay-Hague was released. The squad was restocked with Wasps' fly half Ruaridh Jackson, Samoan wing Alofa Alofa from La Rochelle, Worcester scrum half Charlie Mulchrone and young Sarries' full back Aaron Morris, whilst versatile back row George Naoupu was signed from Pro12 champions Connacht, Mark Reddish was added to the second row from Highlanders whilst Gloucester's Dan Murphy provided another option at prop.

 

For those who stayed around for the second match of the "London" Double Header, Quins made hard work of beating Bristol, 21-19 who could have come away win the win had they been more "streetwise", having made more than twice the ground of their opponents, and counter attacked sharply from their mistakes. The second assignment of the campaign took Harlequins to Sale on a Friday night where they lost 19-10, again struggling to show assured handling at times, and giving too many penalties away, particularly at the breakdown. They struggled to make any ground in attack, advancing just 143 metres in the whole contest, compared to the 408 made by the Sharks, with Mathew Luamana being sent off late on, on a disappointing night. The problems continued in last Saturday's 36-25 loss at Exeter Chiefs, where they conceded four first half tries and found the hosts' rolling maul particularly difficult. They did, however, rally, scoring three tries of their own, and will hope to find a turning point of their own against Saracens, although will need to considerably cut their error count against a side which doesn't need to be asked twice to capitalise.

 

Possible line ups, firstly for Harlequins, would see Mike Brown at full back, with Marland Yarde and Charlie Walker occupying the wings outside a centre partnership of Joe Marchant and Roberts, if fit to return, with Evans, another injury doubt, alongside Care. Into the forwards, and the likely front row features Joe MarlSer, Dave Ward and Kyle Sinckler, with Sam Twomey teaming up with James Horwill in the second row, and a back row of Chris Robshaw, Luke Wallace and Jack Clifford. For Saracens, at the time of writing, the result of the Chris Ashton hearing was not known. Alex Goode will be at full back, with Sean Maitland presumably in line to deputise on the right and Chris Wyles continuing on the left, with Marcelo Bosch and Brad Barritt remaining in the centre. Owen Farrell may be reintroduced from the bench, so the successful Lozowski - Richard Wigglesworth half back combination should continue. A reshuffled front row may feature Mako Vunipola, George and Juan Figallo, with Jim Hamilton continuing to deputise alongside Maro Itoje in the second row, and a back row of Jackson Wray, Schalk Burger and Billy Vunipola.