Quins vs Tigers- huge match coming up

First topic message reminder :

Obviously it is still a while away, and I am getting in very early but that is because I am very excited. This is going to be a huge match. 1st vs 2nd again and a big chance for both teams to put a marker down. This is one of a few likely Final match ups, Leicester will be looking for revenge after Quins won the opposite fixture at Welford Road and Quins need to prove they beat another of the other Play-off regulars in a big, high pressure game. Both sides also got their attacking games running nicely this week and as with the recent Wembley match, there are fascinating battles all across the squads. There should be a fantastic atmosphere in a very full Stoop (the atmosphere against Wasps was great and though this isn't a derby, the importance of the match means I can see a lot of tension, but without the handbags we sometimes see in big games).

So, assuming both sides approach this match with as strong a side as possible, I foresee these match-ups being instrumental:

15- Mike Brown vs Geordan Murphy. Both classy, both have form behind them but both are in different parts of their careers with Geordan no longer needed by Ireland but in my opinion one of their better recent(ish) players, capable of all kinds of magic and an absolute legend in Leicester, a City who are undeniably good to their Club's imported players who are treated like hometown heroes if they accept the ethos they have there. Mike has been a revelation this year, a rock in defence and slick in joining the line in attack. The contest here will be close and exciting, but with Monye and one of the SS boys (unfortunate initials there...) I think Quins will be better in the back 3, with pacey pacey Chisholm providing entertaining cover too. But the giant Alesana could always prove me wrong, and Agulla is in rich form too.

Of more direct interest to England is the clash in the centres. And with Manu and JTH involved, clash is a good predictor of what might occur- there will be physicality in the midfield at the very least!

Anthony Allen, in my opinion, is highly unfortunate to have so few England caps, and his partnership with Manu should be looked at as an England pair. But so, perhaps, should JTH and Lowe (I like units). Very different approaches come from each- JTH is very physical and direct but then can offload so we can get the ball out to Lowe (still strong but faster and smaller) in more space out wide, often off a pivot. Allen is a more elusive and "skillful" attacker who uses his running to worry a defence, so that he can slickly get the ball to Manu who is like a tank but one that can hit 80 mph. Lowe is better at getting the ball to the wingers for me, and JTH and Lowe will be able, I think, to handle their opposite numbers in defence but as individual threats the Leicester pair are more dangerous and 36 on the bench is a good attacking player that can the midfield's approach too, so I have no idea how to call this.

At 10, Evans should be back apparently. Against Sarries, I thought he looked like he was getting his groove back. If he was and the rest during injury hasn't hindered it, then he is a better FH than Flood or, well, anyone in the AP. But that is far from clear and he has been off for a couple of months now. Flood is a very good 10, and will be trying to move his backs like he has been recently and pressing to take back his England shirt. Assuming Evans isn't at his best I will say that Leicester win this battle, but even if he is then Flood has an opportunity to compete with one of the NH's top FHs and show what he offers that Farrell doesn't. Partnering them is another vital contest- 2 excellent 9s when in form but both with different issues. Both Youngs and Care are chirpy but can get carried away and err towards petulance and frankly let their instincts overtake their forebrains and inevitably do something stupid. Youngs' England form is not great to say the least and Danny Care ruled himself out with what is either an alcohol or IQ issue. But Dickson, for his qualities, is not half the natural talent of either and they both offer so much running threat and energy and can have very good or very bad passing days. Both will be fired up and aware that they are not currently going to be starting for England but either has the ability to do so if they show they have the temperament to control their packs and keep their heads in big matches. They are effectively rivals for the number 2 spot now, but I envisage them as the eventual starters and I think in their hearts they both know that too. I'll say Leicester will have the edge for now, but I may change y mind drastically if our HBs look in good touch in the first 10 mins.

The Front row battle looks delicious. I noted before we played Sarries that scrummaging is now a strength not a weakness (though it has become clear that only with our best pack- anything less and we are vulnerable) and we went and proved that right. But Wasps are not great in that area and Sarries were weakened. Toulon really hurt us up front without Kohn and Leicester murdered Saracen's front row when they last played. This is the real litmus test (sorry that the article is so full of cliches) for Marler and JJ. If Marler can come out with equality or being narrowly outplayed by Castro and Cole, two genuinely World Class tighthead contenders for me, then I can see no excuses to not let him on the pitch for England. He is proving everyone who said he was an awful set-piece player wrong but it could all go jubblies-up here. And JJ, though now less penalised and better at getting his hit in, will also be truly tested against Ayerza. I think Leicester will win here and might really hurt us, but I hope we make it close. Chuter should have Buchanan, who has looked good but is still very inexperienced at this level against someone as Premiership-wise as Chuter.

In the second row we have another close-un'. Robson has looked good in the lineouts and the loose recently and Kohn is vital for our pack to function anywhere near its best. Parling looked fantastic for England in my opinion, and will have a battle against the well-rated Robson both in the air (I expect Parling to pip him, but won't be surprised if both teams' lineouts are fairly safe from the other's) and the loose (I expect Robson to take that but Parling looked lively in the 6Ns) and both will want to be on the plane to SA. On the other side of the second row, I'm not sure whether it will be Slater or Skivington or Kitchener. Either way they will have a physical contest with Kohn who won't be falsh or stand out but will add so much silently to our strength up front.

Finally my favourite skirmish- the back row. Just the thought of Robshaw vs Croft makes this match worth watching. Both leaders, both good carries and breakdown players in utterly different ways and both influential in the way their teams play. Add in Waldrom vs Easter as reasonably long-shot but still possible England 8s, and you have a classic. Salvi will have a hard time against Mo, who is just so physical it sometimes hurts to watch. With Guest or Wallace to cover and our backrow experienced at playing together and to each other's strengths, I think we will come out on top, but I expect Croft to have a good game on the Stoop in good weather.

Quins will try and contain Leicester's attacks and match them in the set-piece (no point in trying to overpower them really), then pile into the breakdown when fast ball is on and pound away. Leicester will try and crush us in the forwards then when we are tired send their strike runners flying in the backs. I'm not sure who will win but I can see 4 ties apiece and maybe even 2 BPs for the losers .

ChequeredJersey wrote:I meant Stuart Barnes. I thought, 2 decisions aside, Wayne was fairly decent today

have to say, he should of carded Easter for taking a player out off the ball just before Mafi's try. Exactly the same as Manu's. The quins are pretty good at holding on to the tackled player for just the right amount of time to slow it down.

Just watched the first half, you guys were right. Has been a brill game so far.

Here's my match report for the V2 Journal. A great game to be at as a neutral
http://www.v2journal.com/harlequins-vs-leicester-tigers.html

Kiwiredevil: Yep, cheers. With your report and the highlights I've a fair idea of the game. chuckle. The lack of gripe from my Quins friends also helped me form a picture.

have to say, he should of carded Easter for taking a player out off the ball just before Mafi's try

I thought it was Evans that interferred off the ball? The linesman had his flag up and Barnes was playing advantage but he seemed to decide the try was worth more than the YC which to be fair was probably correct.

If you've got a recording can you check the Lowe try, looked to be in front of the kick (pub concencus) but in a rowdy pub with a couple of pints I wasn't in the best place to judge.

Lowe was behind Evans when the kick was made.

Try looked legit to me too. Thought Lowe took it well, and had a good all round game. JTH started really well and made some barnstorming runs, but eventually I think Allen had him in his pocket. Allen made some cracking breaks, 2 of which set up 2 of the tries if i'm not mistaken?

Lowe was behind Evans when the kick was made

Ta. Good call by Barnes then as that was a tight one.

JTH started really well and made some barnstorming runs, but eventually I think Allen had him in his pocket. Allen made some cracking breaks, 2 of which set up 2 of the tries if i'm not mistaken?

I think Allen took a bit of time to adjust to JTH charging down his channel but once he'd figured him out JTH vanished from the game. I suspect that he didn't have a plan B to throw at Allen once Allen starting to read his stampeding runs, JTH certainly didn't seem that light on his feet when Allen danced around him in the second half. I think you're right about his breaks leading to the field position for two tries.

What odds can I get on Quins winning the play off final now?

ChequeredJersey wrote:What odds can I get on Quins winning the play off final now?

7/2 is the "best"* available odds currently, same as Sarries. 11/10 on Tigers, 6/1 Saints and 250/1 Chiefs


*ie maximum return

I think Quins will do enough to hang on to 1st spot - although it will be a tough call with Barf visiting Weflord Rd. I would therefore, expect them to beat either Saints or Exeter in a semifinal at The Stoop.

Tigers could therefore end up playing SAracens. I don't know what it is about them but I am much less comfortable that Tigers would have to face them, Welford Rd or not. Maybe its because they play such boring one dimensional rugby, that they send their opposition to sleep. God knows, watching them on TV is a chore. Anyway, I would say that although Tigers should win, whether they do or not is no forgone conclusion. Quins will have to face either Tigers or SAracens at twickenham, and could beat either. I would imagine the odds have risen though.

Unsurprisingly, I'm more interested in the regular season

http://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-union/club-rugby/aviva-premiership/regular-season-only

See what I did there? No hi-tec hidden (guess where I floated my cursor, or this is not an underscore but a link)

Just an effin', bleedin' obvious LINK.

Might put some money on Quins and a 5 on Chiefs!