Preview: Northampton vs Harlequins

Well after the double Italian job against minnows Zebre, it’s back to the bread and butter of the Premiership, where our 1st team will try and emulate the feats of the A team.

Harlequins added another trophy to the cabinet this week defeating Saracens Storm in the A League Final. An absolute credit to Quins, playing with the verve and dynamism that epitomises our play style. Ollie Lindsay-Hague in particular was on fire and played with a freedom we have yet to see him display in the Premiership, the only question can be can he replicate on a consistent basis to challenge for the 1st team. Also worthy of note, Darryl Marfo, capped an impressive set piece performance with two tries, he seems to be developing a rare knack at that.

This weeks opponents are Northampton Saints, they themselves are enjoying a good season, flying high in the Premiership and battling combatively in the Heineken Cup, even managing to turn over Irish giants, Ulster, in a hard fought game at Ravenhill. Significantly their front five managed to put together the sort of performance they have only sporadically shown in the Premiership. Boosted by the return of Ben Foden their back line is also looking significantly stronger, the Pisi brothers remain a danger to most sides and in Tom May have an experienced hand at the tiller in Tindalls old spot.

Whilst Northampton were testing their mettle against the best in Europe, rather unfortunately the same cannot be said of Quins. Zebre, for all their first half pluck in each game were a quite frankly embarrassing Heineken Cup team. Something has to be done to protect clubs like these for their own good, getting thumped in consecutive games by over 50 points is no good for anyone’s development. The few fans they had in Parma seemed passionate enough and they were certainly more than hospitable, but how long will they be able to exist with such minimal support. I hope something changes for them soon and the way in which teams qualify for the European cups.

For our own part, you can only play whats in front of you, and whilst Quins demolished Zebre, they had to deal with continuous infringements missed by Sir (should prepare us well for Saints!) particularly last week. In each game the scoreline only began to open up when Quins stopped trying to play champagne rugby without getting the basics right. All in all a professional performance in both games from Quins and all fronted up well, Casson and Easter in particular shone, also Botica again showing his potential with sparkling cameos. Joe Gray in particular will be feeling the pressure after a stellar performance in Parma from substitute Rob Buchanan, he is really coming on leaps and bounds. His work in the loose in Parma was outstanding and he was a constant threat with ball in hand. Great to see us have such strength in depth at no2 with Brooker to come back and also Dave Ward on the books.

Up at Franklin Gardens we can look forward to the renewal of hostilities between the fit again Joe Marler and his sometime England colleague Paul Doran-Jones. These two really don’t like each other and tempers flared in last seasons semi final at the Stoop, Joe having the last laugh (literally) going over from the 14 man maul. With Joe’s return, Conor has selected as close to a full strength line up as possible, Ugo being fit to take his place on the wing back from Englands emergency winger, Mike Brown who returns to full back. The pack is much as expected, with the same 8 that started that wonderful final last year, back together again. Robshaw was pretty muted last week playing against the Italians, lets hope he was just feeling his way back into his club shirt and keeping his powder dry for this top of the table clash.

Tom Williams continues on the wing, one player who’s reputation and standing with the fans continues to develop positively this season. So much of what he does is for the good of the team, he has created numerous passes for our scoring centres, particularly Matt Hopper. Williams runs similar lines to Chris Ashton, and whilst he doesn’t have that pace he has a supreme rugby brain which affords him time which other players just don’t have. Using Williams savvy will be key to Quins attack as Saints will be operating with a converted centre on the wing in the fairly inexperienced, Jamie Elliott. If Quins funnel the attacks down his wing, much the same as Wasps did to us in the first game of the season, they could see rewards.

Saints have gone power heavy in their pack, they will be boosted by Lawes in the second row who will impact in the loose similar to another flanker. Their back row in comparison to Quins is very similar, an exciting match up will be between Wood and Robshaw. Look for Wood at the collision areas, whilst he is wearing the no6 shirt I feel he’ll be playing more of the 7 role, being by far their most mobile forward. Dowson for me is just the wrong side of pedestrian and whilst he organises the team well his best days are behind him.

Down in the dark areas, scrum time will be interesting, Quins gameplan hinges once again on how the ref is going to view JJ’s binding. If he doesn’t get pinged, you have to think that the Saints front three, suffering the loss of captain Dylan Hartley, will be under some serious pressure. Last time out Tonga’uiha had huge difficulty against JJ, whilst on the other side Marler toyed with Doran-Jones, not rising to the bait and on one notable occasion managing to provoke a penalty out of PDJ, capped with a wry smile. It’s been said in many places, but for me this was a cast iron example of Joe’s growing maturity.

Only a short preview this week, time is running out and I haven’t been able to find the gaffa tape I need for the wife’s present! Let’s hope Saint Nic brings us some points and a performance akin to Leicester away this weekend!

Quins by 3 pts

COYQ!!!!