Preview: Bath v Harlequins

The familiarity of the Guinness Premiership returns this weekend, with Round 17 marking the start of the run on of the final 6 games of the season. Harlequins travel west down the A4 to meet bath at the Recreation Ground on Saturday March 27th. Kickoff is at 14.15, with the match a sellout. This is a crucial match for both sides as they strive to achieve a top six finish by the second week of May.

This fixture last year saw Harlequins achieve a spectacular away win after a hard fought game where Quins defence stood firm.  Recent results reveal a luke warm Bath as the visitors have won their last four encounters against Bath including a close 13-11 victory at The Stoop back in October in Round 5 of the competition when both teams were finding it hard to win games. Fortunes have changed for Bath since that match. At the risk of sounding like the announcer on the Weakest Link, Bath are the strongest side in the premiership at the moment by virtue or dropping only 4 points from their last 30 possible league points. Bath have won their last five games in all competitions and have won four of their last five matches at home.

Saturday is therefore a tough ask for the team who have not experienced the best of seasons. It is also tough ask for the newly appointed Director of Rugby Conor O'Shea, whose first task is to secure Heineken Cup action for Quins next season. Speaking at The Meet The Management at The Stoop earlier this week O’Shea is not shying away of what is required and he portrayed the task as hard but achievable with the  focus, team spirit and skills that the squad possess. Everyone is aware of what is required but there is the determination is there.  O’ Shea did state the obvious when he said “three additional wins and you can be in the top four, but a couple of additional loses and you can be at the bottom of the table.”Mark Evans remarked that  with just six games to go all twelve teams in the Premiership still have everything to play no matter of their current position.   The fat lady is nowhere near warming up at the moment, Leicester and Northampton appear to have pulled away from Saracens, Wasps and Irish, none of whom were in the Heineken Cup this year, noted  Evans.  Just seven points separate the clubs between seventh and twelfth place which includes Quins in eighth place. With Bath in sixth position, six points ahead of Quins, look to have drawn away from the bottom six. Wins for Quins and Gloucester this week would significantly narrow that gap

Harlequins have won two of their last three games in the Guinness Premiership, both at home against Worcester 14-11 and Northampton 13-6  but they  have not won away from home in the competition since a trip to Leeds on back in December. There last away game resulted in a 29-14 loss against London Irish.

Harlequins need to focus and concentrate on their next six games. With everything to play for it is certainly going to be an interesting seven weeks ahead of us, as we all look out for the results of the other clubs to see how they affect our position and fate.  Despite being the clubs pessimist in residence I am very optimistic about our Premiership survival, but qualification for a Heineken spot may well be too late . As for this weekend it would great to repeat that great victory of last season at the Rec. I expect a tight game with the losers picking up a losing bonus, concentration and teamwork will squeeze a win for Quins but Bath at home have to favorites. If you were lucky enough to get a ticket enjoy the match.

Other games this weekend include;

Saturday, 27 March 2010

Bath Rugby v Harlequins, 14:15
Gloucester v Leeds Carnegie, 15:00
Northampton v Wasps, 17:30
Worcester v Leicester, 15:00

Sunday, 28 March 2010
London Irish v Sale, 15:00
Saracens v Newcastle, 15:00

Come On You Quins!