Harlequins vs Exeter Chiefs

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Exeter Chiefs

15 Josh Hodge
14 Jack Nowell
13 Ian Whitten
12 Solomone Kata
11 Olly Woodburn
10 Harvey Skinner
9 Sam Maunder
8 Sam Simmonds
7 Christ Tshiunza
6 Jack Vermeulen
5 Daffyd Jenkins
4 Jonny Gray
3 Harry Williams
2 Jack Innard
1 Scott Sio


16 Jack Yeandle
17 Danny Southworth
18 Marcus Street
19 Jack Dunne
20 Dave Ewers
21 Jack Maunder
22 Joe Simmonds
23 Tom Hendrickson

Harlequins

1. Joe Marler
2. George Head
3. Wilco Louw
4. Dino Lamb
5. Stephan Lewies
6. Jack Kenningham
7. James Chisholm
8. Tom Lawday
9. Danny Care
10. Marcus Smith
11. Josh Bassett
12. Andre Esterhuizen
13. Joe Marchant
14. Cadan Murley
15. Nick David

Impact Players

16. Sam Riley
17. Fin Baxter
18. Simon Kerrod
19. Irne Herbst
20. Will Evans
21. Luke Wallace
22. Scott Steele
23. Luke Northmore

Match Officials:

Referee: Matthew Carley

Assistant Referees: Sara Cox and Gareth Holsgrove.

TMO: Dean Richards.

Citing Officer: Dave Guyan

Weather Forecast as at 1200 Friday

Light cloud and light winds from the north

Temperature 7 degrees dropping 6 degrees by close of play

Precipitation not expected

Television Coverage

SD Channel 409 BT Sports 1 from 1415-1930
HD Channel 431 BT Sports 1 from 1415-1930

Harlequins have slipped to five successive Gallagher Premiership Rugby defeats, since beating Bath 19-13 at the Recreation Ground on 2 December. Quins have not lost six in succession in the tournament since 2006. Harlequins only defeat in their last ten visits to Twickenham Stadium was 29-39 to London Irish in the London double header in September 2017.

Exeter Chiefs have won their last three Gallagher Premiership Rugby matches since their 3-35 loss to Saracens at StoneX Stadium on New Year’s Eve. The Chiefs have won just once away from homein any competition since mid-October: 27-12 at Castres in Round 1 of the European Champions Cup.

Exeter have won their last two matches against Quins, both high scoring affairs at Sandy Park, 47-38 last June and 43-42 in September.The Chiefs have played Harlequins twice before at Twickenham Stadium, losing on both occasions, 6-22 in the “Big Game”in 2013 and 38-40 in the Premiership Rugby final in 2021

It’s a tough one to call, both strong sides, my head says Quins might sneak it, but the heart of the Chiefs, with many playing their final few games for the club says we could win against the odds. Surprised Big Dave isn’t starting and no Jannes. Should be a great game, wish I was going.

Chiefs 33 30 Quins.

Looks like a cracker. Massive positive that Karl Dickson is not reffing! Hodge on the vast expanse that is HQ will be exciting

Need a think! Marler in the scrum and Quins with a deadly broken field backline. Smith playing on a big pitch. If we play with tactics like last week against Sale I think we will get a shellacking. I think we should not be playing Whitts as you all know - sorry - and if we are kicking why is Jack not playing rather than Sam. Dave Ewers not starting? There will be a few march back 10's with Matthew Carley - a no nonsense ref - still thinking...

I guess Danny Southworth ahead of Kenny a surprise. Whitten not O'loughlin wouldn't be everyones choice! But good team. A win here would be amazing. Not sure will happen but going 24-20 Exe.

In his pre-match piece Rob talks about selecting the returning internationals "protecting" the lads who will be playing next week and the week after.

On paper a strong Quins side should win, but, on paper they should not have lost 5 on the bounce. If we play like we did against them at SP, we have a chance. Will be there. Quins 31 Chiefs 35.

Quite a good team on paper and in my view gives us a real chance if we can get parity in the set piece. The only change I would like to have seen is Hogg on the bench in place of Joe who is out of favour and leaving. Hogg can play across the back line and is quicker which may be needed in the later stages of the game. We certainly aren’t getting value from our marquee player who is unavailable again for a few more weeks after Saturday !!! I hope there are no early cards to ruin the match for the big crowd and we get a minimum of 2 points.
Anyone know what Hepburn injury is as he has been out for months, he was walking ok in the crowd at the midweek match ?

Quins 34 Chiefs 31 but hope it’s the other way around.

Well looks like a good team on both sides, I wonder what sportsmanship Marler will come up with this time.
Think Chiefs will do it, our weak area compared to them is 9/10, but if the box kicks aren’t over hit like last week we should get good ball.
Believe they are the happier with their international returnees, they aren’t the same without Smith. But we should win if the boys keep their heads.

Quins 35 Chiefs 30

Not at all confident about this, but quins do seem to brick out the best in us sometimes.

I cant bring myself to predict a loss.

Chiefs 34 Quins 30.

Quote:

Not Manichean
quins do seem to brick out the best in us

Their side isn't THAT scary! 😉

Quote:

Osmium

Quote:

Not Manichean
quins do seem to brick out the best in us

Their side isn't THAT scary! 😉

Fat fingers! 🤣

Should be a good game i any event.

Letting heart rule head - Quins 36 - 37 Exeter

I actually quite like that Jack has been picked as captain.

I also rather hope that it signals the fact that he may be staying.

Think we did really well to beat Sale last week, although we could easily have lost had the ball bounced more kindly for TOF. This week, i am concerned about our history at Twickers against Quins, not great, so sadly predicting a close loss. Quins 40 Chiefs 33

Where are the tries coming from.?
Apart from Josh that is a plodding three quarter line, and Quins must be licking their lips.
I desperately want us to win after their whinging following the loss at SP but
I cant see how its going to happen with that back line.
Please prove me wrong!!
Quins 32 Chiefs 19.

Quote:

Not Manichean
I actually quite like that Jack has been picked as captain.
I also rather hope that it signals the fact that he may be staying.

Perhaps it bears out your decision not to take the £100 bet!?

I think we can win.

Quins 28 Chiefs 33

Quins 21 Chiefs 31

Quote:

plymptonchief

Quote:

Not Manichean
I actually quite like that Jack has been picked as captain.
I also rather hope that it signals the fact that he may be staying.

Perhaps it bears out your decision not to take the £100 bet!?

Id certainly like to hope so.

If we can keep control of the ball we should be ok

Chiefs 27 Quinn’s 23



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:03:03:18:46:55 by Chief Fire Water.

Quins 23-28 Exe but I could be wrong

wouldn't put any money on this as both teams need wins and have put out good sides. so a high scoring game. quins for me tho as the kicking of smith might be the key. chiefs 27 quins 33 hoping i am wrong.

Quins 24 - Chiefs 28

Heading up to HQ more in Hope than expectation…. At least as much as the men’s game is concerned. I reckon quins May score a few more than others have predicted…. Head over heart Quins’s 43 chiefs 26… Hope I’m wrong

There is always hope but not much in the way of expectation from this match personally.
My main worry is our lack of pace in our back line,Josh excepted.
I can see their backs burning us off at will although I expect our pack to hold their own. It's more a case of a lack of confidence in what our backs can do with the ball whereas we all know what their backs can do with minimal ball.
Fingers crossed I get a pleasant surprise 🤞🤞🤞

Chiefs 31- 25 Quins

My head says Quins to win fairly easily but as wrong last time hoping to be wrong this; Chiefs 34 Quins 27. Ouch - I waited for guidance........

Chiefs 31 Quins 27. Will have Big Dave and Vermeulen breaking the line.

Quins 30 - 33 Chiefs

Like others, more in hope than expectation.

Much said about HQs open spaces ... Sandy Park was modelled on the HQ pitch, so there's no less space here. The guys are used to it. I can see Hendrickson, Big Dave and Dunne making a difference off the bench. Still, it's heart over head Chiefs to win 30-24

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

Quins 28 Chiefs 35 Half full but I understand that it’s a big pitch, their backs generally have more pace, we’re playing away etc etc. Team performance please

Apologies cornwall, I've been out of the country until late last night. I think this could be the game for taking the points when they're on offer.

This week's wild stab in the dark is Quins 24 Chiefs 27

Quins quality at half back persuades me that a narrow defeat is the best we can expect. Would be absolutely delighted to be wrong.
Mrs PC Quins 24 Ex 21
PC Quins 28 Ex 27

Been sleeping on this one.
I think it will be another close run affair as in our most recent encounters!
Quins 26 - 29 Chiefs

Fear we could get a reality check today. Both opposition and occasion a big challenge. Can’t see where we have have any creativity and as ever, I’m afraid, no inspiration at half back. Hope I’m wrong but I’m going Quins 37 Chiefs 20

I think Quin's backline is much stronger than ours, with a ten with everything to prove. I fear a big defeat here. Quin's 36 Chiefs 19
Here's hoping I'm completely wrong

Oh dear!!!!!!!!!!!
Innumerable: TqyAndy (Sorry Andy, couldn’t resist)
56 Points: Ouch that hurts;
55 Points: Mike the Shirt;
53 Points: Scottish Chief;
52 Points: Dumnoniinomad;
51 Points: Bold Eagle
48 Points: Rowancroft73;
47 Points: Cornwall Chief; Andy15.1;
46 Points: ExTedd Chief;
45 Points: Alain le Chief;
44 Points: Hankey; Lowerwatha;
43 Points: Chief Firewater; Plympton Chief;
42 Points: Osmium;
39 Points: Not Manichean; Keithbar54;
38 Points: Currychef;
37 Points: Mrs PC;
36 Points: Stokecanon; Lapo;
35 Points: Ex58; Cully Chief; Big Chief Little Chief;
32 Points: Fisher;
29 Points: Ljs399;
21 Points: Moosechief; Seaside Chief;
20 Points: Exeterfan;
18 Points: Broken Arrow;
Next week Falcons at home. Can’t think of anything positive to say!

Quote:

plymptonchief
Oh dear!!!!!!!!!!!
Innumerable: TqyAndy (Sorry Andy, couldn’t resist)
56 Points: Ouch that hurts;
55 Points: Mike the Shirt;
53 Points: Scottish Chief;
52 Points: Dumnoniinomad;
51 Points: Bold Eagle
48 Points: Rowancroft73;
47 Points: Cornwall Chief; Andy15.1;
46 Points: ExTedd Chief;
45 Points: Alain le Chief;
44 Points: Hankey; Lowerwatha;
43 Points: Chief Firewater; Plympton Chief;
42 Points: Osmium;
39 Points: Not Manichean; Keithbar54;
38 Points: Currychef;
37 Points: Mrs PC;
36 Points: Stokecanon; Lapo;
35 Points: Ex58; Cully Chief; Big Chief Little Chief;
32 Points: Fisher;
29 Points: Ljs399;
21 Points: Moosechief; Seaside Chief;
20 Points: Exeterfan;
18 Points: Broken Arrow;
Next week Falcons at home. Can’t think of anything positive to say!

It didn’t rain.