Preview: Saracens v Harlequins

This weekend is Round 13 of the Guinness Premiership and sees Harlequins away to their nearest London neighbours, Saracens. Kick off at Vicarage Road is on Sunday evening, at a very late 18.05, this has to be one of the latest kick off times and needless to say the kick off time reflects the Sky tv schedule.

It is believed that many supporters will be going straight to work on Monday morning after the post match celebrations!

Last weekend through up many un predicted results, and I m not refereeing to The Quins win. No matter how laboured, how long it has been coming over recent weeks and indeed how long on the day. Very much a similar scenario to most other matches this season, take the lead and try and protect it. True Worcester did not help their cause by their serial indiscipline, which should have enabled Quins to have the match sewn up by half time with a rout. As we now from Dean Richards post match press conference we are not in the business of “cricket scores” preferring to play our own brand of rugby, spurning 17 kickable points – part of the match day experience that is Harlequins. One of the better headlines on Sunday morning got it just about right with “Quins make Worcester pay for late horror show.” It could well be argued that it was Harlequins own indiscipline that let Worcester back into the match, first with a penalty and then that first try, whether or not it should have been given no one can fault Ugo for his  magnificent attempt to prevent Gear from crossing the line, an action that has provided an iconic photo shot.

However despite the apparent laboured win there were some flourishing green shots and most notably Care and Skinner both had an exceptional game, and will surely be picked to start the match against Saracens.  Ignoring the fact that he not having his points scoring kicking boots on Jarvis, didn’t do too badly elsewhere across the park and Brooker looked strong as the match closed. Despite the fine weather on Saturday, one swallow does not make a summer and Quins know they have to improve going into this weekend match, if only to show a good performance on live tv – this week and next week against Gloucester. 

Eventually Worcester’s continued indiscipline lead to a couple of sin bins allowing Quins to play against 14 men for almost 20 minutes of the second half, Lessens learned from earlier matches this season enabled Quins to pull further ahead and gain a precious four try bonus point, This was Quins eighth bonus point of the season has proved to be very useful as it keeps the chasing pack in positions 7 to 10 slightly at bay. They all consolidated there positions, with Wasps, London Irish and Newcastle remaining just three, four, and five points behind Quins. Unexpectedly these three teams won last weekend against top four opposition, with Bristol also winning at home to Gloucester the gap has closed upon the top four teams.

Worcester and Leeds were the real losers last weekend with it looking increasing likely that the two of them will fight it out for relegation this season  

Saracens were also on the receiving end of an unexpected loss away at Newcastle, as “the Angel of the North” found himself kicking a penalty, awarded after Saracens were penalized for not releasing in the tackle, to win the match two minutes from time. The loss, with just a bonus point prevented Saracens from moving up to third place, and came on the back of another laboured performance at home to Worcester the week before. Have Saracens peaked too early, has the lack of oxygen at such a height in the table made then wobble? 

After the match Saracens coach Gaffney refused to criticize the referee for the decision, a s “we failed to close the game out when we had the opportunity”. The lack of international honours in his squad continues to perplex Gaffney, who will once more this weekend be able to pick pretty much who he wants. One exception being Farrell  who lasted just twenty minutes coming off with a rib injury and will not be considered to play against Harlequins. Perplexing maybe, but that doesn’t t stop him referring to his squad as “a bunch of nondescripts” 

One can only hope the confidence that appears to have been regained coupled with a two week break will have worked wonders for those players who were able to rest. We just hope that they come out of the blocks in the same way that they stated the season back in September. Whilst most players will have enjoyed a break, a number of others have been playing for their country. Injuries to Easter and Gomarsall, who will be sorely disappointed, will rule them out of selection this weekend, whilst those players who played for the Saxons this weekend would have gained a great deal of satisfaction and confidence, especially with Jarvis picking up man  of the match and significant contributions made by other Quins. The “A” team had a very good win over Bath on Monday night and winning at home is contagious. 

This will be a difficult match for Quins but it is winnable. The fact that Quins have not won at Vicarage Road for over six years suggests that it is time for that statistic to be struck from the record book however they have only won once on the road this season, away at Worcester just after Christmas. Saracens will be looking and expecting a home win, and repeating last years performance with a bonus point win. Despite their recent wobbles Saracens are a very strong team this season and will give Quins a hard time, especially as they have won eight of their last nine home games this season. With renewed confidence, and minus Easter and Ross who are in International duty, buoyed up by last weekend win Quins could just cause an upset. If Quins lose this weekend, and any of these three win Harlequins will drop out of the top six for the first time this season!

Come on You Quins!  

 Other matches this weekend:

*Round 14 for Worcester, Gloucester, Leicester and Saracens