Harlequins 2013/14 Season Discussion Thread

[yappysnap]

First topic message reminder :

So a few other teams had their own threads last season, it seemed to work well and seeing as it's far easier to steal someone else's idea then think up your own...

WELCOME TO THE HARLEQUINS 2013/14 SEASON DISCUSSION THREAD!

The Squad for 13/14:
Director of Rugby Conor O'Shea
Head Coach John Kingston
First Team Coach Tony Diprose
Assistant First Team Coach Mark Mapletoft
Assistant First Team Coach Collin Osborne

Hooker
Joe Gray
Rob Buchanan
Dave Ward

Loosehead Prop:
Joe Marler
Mark Lambert
Nick Mayhew
Daryl Marfo

Tighthead Prop
Paul Doran Jones
Will Collier
Kyle Sinckler  

Lock
George Robson   
Charlie Matthews
George Merrick
Sam Twomey  

Blindside
Maurie Fa'asavalu
Joe Trayfoot  

Openside
Chris Robshaw
Luke Wallace

Number 8
Nick Easter
Tom Guest
Jack Clifford

Scrum Half
Danny Care
Karl Dickson

Fly Half
Nick Evans  
Ben Botica
Louis Grimoldby

Inside Centre
Jordan Turner-Hall  
Tom Casson  
Harry Sloan

Outside Centre
George Lowe
Matt Hopper
Charlie Walker

Wing
Ugo Monye
Tom Williams
Sam Smith
Miles Mantella


Fullback
Mike Brown
Ross Chisholm
Ollie Lindsay-Hague

Fixtures:

Harlequins are pleased to confirm an exciting and challenging opening for the 2013-14 Aviva Premiership season.
 
The Londoners kick-off the new season against local rivals London Wasps at Twickenham Stadium during the London Double Header on 7th September, kick-off 4.30pm (Live on BT Sport).

2013 Aviva Premiership finalists, Northampton Saints are the visitors for the first home game at The Twickenham Stoop on Friday 13th September, kick-off 7:45pm (Live on BT Sport).

The second home game welcomes Heineken Cup semi-finalists Saracens on 28th September, kick-off 3.15pm (Live on BT Sport).

Exeter Chiefs will be the visitors to Twickenham Stadium for the sixth Big Game on Saturday 28th December. More information about Big Game 6 will be provided in coming months.

The Londoners will open their Heineken Cup campaign over the weekend of the 11th/12th/13th October, while the defence of the LV= Cup will begin during the second weekend of November. Fixture dates and times are expected by ERC and Premiership rugby later this month.

The only way to guarantee your place at all of the regular season home fixtures is by becoming a Member. Information on the innovative Membership scheme and how to become a Member is available by clicking here or by calling 0208 744 4477.

"There is no such thing as an easy match in the Aviva Premiership and there is no doubt that our opening fixtures are very demanding," said Conor O'Shea, Harlequins Director of Rugby.

"Once again we will be competing in three great competitions against top class opposition from this country and Europe. Our Premiership campaign gets underway with the London Double Header against Wasps on 7th September and is followed during that month with tough home matches with Northampton Saints and Saracens as well as a trip to Sixways to play against Dean Ryan's Worcester.

"Given the quality of the opposition, we hope that our supporters will be looking forward to returning to The Stoop to get behind their team as we set out on the marathon that is the Premiership with all its related ups and downs."

Tickets for the new season's home games will go on sale on Monday 15th July. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 0208 410 6000
Harlequins Fixtures
Please note fixtures after Round 8 are subject to change

Round 1
Saturday September 7: London Wasps v Harlequins (4.30pm, Twickenham Stadium, BT Sport)

Round 2
Friday September 13:Harlequins v Northampton Saints (7.45pm BT Sport)

Round3
Friday September 21: Worcester Warriors v Harlequins (7.45pm BT Sport)

Round 4
Saturday September 28: Harlequins v Saracens (3.15pm BT Sport)

Round 5
Saturday October 5: London Irish v Harlequins (3.00pm)

Heineken Cup
Fri/Sat/Sun October 11/12/13 Heineken Cup

Fri/Sat/Sun October 18/19/20 Heineken Cup

Round 6
Saturday October 26: Harlequins v Sale Sharks (3.00pm)

Round 7
Saturday November 2: Leicester Tigers v Harlequins (5.30pm BT Sport)

LV= Cup
Fri/Sat/Sun November 9 LV= Cup

Fri/Sat/Sun November 16 LV= Cup

Round 8
Saturday November 23: Harlequins v Gloucester Rugby (3.00pm)

Round 9
Sunday December 1: Newcastle Falcons v Harlequins (3.00pm)

Heineken Cup
Fri/Sat/Sun Dec 6/7/8 Heineken Cup

Fri/Sat/Sun Dec 13/14/15Heineken Cup

Round 10
Saturday December 21st: Bath Rugby v Harlequins (3.00pm)

Round 11
Sat December 28: BIG GAME 6 Harlequins v Exeter Chiefs (3.00pm)

Round 12
Saturday January 4: Northampton Saints v Harlequins (3.00pm)

Heineken Cup
Fri/Sat/Sun January 10/11/12 Heineken Cup
Fri/Sat/ Sun January 17/18/19 Heineken Cup

LV= Cup
Fri/Sat/Sun Jan 24/25/26 LV= Cup
Fri/Sat/Sun Jan 31 Feb 1 /2 LV= Cup

Round 13
Saturday February 8: Harlequins v London Wasps (3.00pm)

Round 14
Saturday February 15: Harlequins v Newcastle Falcons (3.00pm)

Round 15
Saturday February 22: Gloucester Rugby v Harlequins (3.00pm)

Round 16
Saturday March 1: Harlequins v Worcester Warriors (3.00pm)

Round 17
Saturday March 22: Saracens v Harlequins (3.00pm)

Round 18
Saturday March 29: Harlequins v London Irish (3.00pm)

Round 19
Friday April 11: Sale Sharks v Harlequins (7.45pm)

Round 20
Saturday April 19: Harlequins v Leicester Tigers (3.00pm)

Round 21
Saturday May 3: Exeter Chiefs v Harlequins (3.00pm)

Round 22
Saturday May 10: Harlequins v Bath Rugby (3.00pm)

Whether you're a Quins fan or not please feel free to discuss, argue, banter and bicker below. And  to 2014's Aviva Prem Champs!!    

COYQ's!!!!

[Trevor40]

Jake White would have been a start. An alternative game plan plus the players to do it would be close second. Sack the journeymen players and coaches and start for next year. Worked at Sarries. A proper rugby club that is evolving. Problem with Quins is the sheer amount of losers in the crowd who accept second best.

[sad_gimp]

Don't feed the troll.

Pretty pathetic the mods let this place get ruined by idiots like logansrun.

[RDW]

Don't feed the troll.

Pretty pathetic the mods let this place get ruined by idiots  like logansrun.

The moderation team are dealing with several reports and complaints. Please feel free to carry on with this thread and get discussions back on track.

RDW

[sad_gimp]

Realistically this season I would hope for top 6, and our youngsters getting a good amount of game time ready to kick on next season. Will be no shortage of opportunity with our current squad and international callups coming.

[beshocked]

Trevor40 I think Quins have also been hurt by losing their excellent CEO Mark Evans.

He's the one who turned Quins into a slick revenue generating machine. Quins in terms of revenue and bums on seats are more successful than Sarries as of now so but in marketing ways are not as vocal or as bold in my opinion.

Mark Evans would never allow Munster fans to buy Quins' season tickets for example. He's also the crafty soul who signed Quins up for the London Double header deal which means they are never the home side.

[propdavid_london]

He also implemented the 'Big Game' over Christmas time that's normally a great success.
I must admit that his leaving does seem to have had an impact on the club as a whole - since he's left there has been a dip in playing performances and Quins have managed to alienate a lot of STH's with the new members system.

Hopefully management will realise their mistakes and do something about it.
Stoop was no where near capacity for the games against Saints and Sarries - all big games in the calendar, and there were massive gaps in the crowd for the 1st H-Cup game.

Things could go rather pear shaped quite quickly!

[beshocked]

That's what I mean propdavid london. I also think Mark Evans had a say in recruitment and coaching etc. My point is I think it's all bigger than just Conor O Shea and his fellow coaches.

I still think he left you because of Bloodgate, I reckon Mark Evans knew more than he let on but that's my opinion.

12k for Sarries is still good in my opinion.

I think Quins need to look at the big picture as a whole. It can be fixed but drastic measures need taking.

[Hubert Davenport]

Evans left before they won the Prem propdavid!

[yappysnap]

I wouldn't say drastic measures, but what this does show is that you can't choose to not sign a single player until injuries and retirements force your hand and make you panic buy an injured lock and an iffy prop.

Next season we must be more competitive with our signings. A big lock and big centre are must have's. Prop as well is dicey if PDJ doesn't come good, COS needs to be harsh here and make some big calls. JTH should be worried, likewise one of Monye/Williams will have to go, Hopper needs to show a lot more then just A team player and dodgy injury cover, NEV needs to start finding form soon (I'm not saying get rid of him but he can't trade on past greatness for ever), Big Mo as well is another who can go to free up space along with Sam Smith.

[propdavid_london]

Hi Hubert,
So, things continued to improve on the systems he implemented.
My point being that there have been major changes to - management, infrastructure and playing styles/decisions over the last 2seasons that haven't been great it seems.

Just seen the team to face Clermont.......not sure if I want to watch it!

[ChequeredJersey]

It's pretty solid at 6,7,8,9,possibly10onagoodday,14,15...

[ChequeredJersey]

15- Lee Byrne
14- Aurelien Rougerie
13- Regan King
12- Wesley Fofana
11- Siviteni Sivivatu
10- Brock James
9- Thierry Lacrampe
8- Damien Chouly
7- Alexandre Lapandry
6- Julien Bonnaire
5- Nathan Hines
4- Julien Pierre
3- Daniel Kotze
2- Benjamin Kayser
1- Vincent Debaty

16- Ti'i Paulo, 17- Raphael Chaume, 18- Clement Ric, 19- Loic Jacquet, 20- Gerhard Vosloo, 21- Ludovic Radosavljevic, 22- Mike Delany, 23- Naipolioni Nalaga


Could be worse, still could be a bloodbath

[yappysnap]

Don't know if it's been posted or not but here's the team to play Clermont:

Harlequins have announced the team that will play Clermont Auvergne in Round 2 of the Heineken Cup at the Stade Marcel Michelin on Sunday, kick-off 3:00pm BST (4:00pm CEST). The match will be shown live on Sky Sports 2.There is just one change to the Harlequins backline as Paul Sackey is named on the right wing, with Tom Williams switching to the left wing.

Blindside flanker Maurie Fa'asavalu picked up a hamstring injury last week which requires surgery; this will rule the Samoan out until the end of January.

Tom Guest is brought into the back row with Luke Wallace and captain Chris Robshaw, as Nick Easter returns to the second-row.

Players unavailable for selection due to injury include: Paul Doran Jones, Joe Gray, Charlie Matthews, Nick Kennedy, Maurie Fa'asavalu, Sam Stuart, Tom Casson, Jordan Turner Hall, Harry Sloan, George Lowe, Ugo Monye, Ollie Lindsay Hague and Ross Chisholm.

Harlequins team

15. Mike Brown
14. Paul Sackey
13. Matt Hopper
12. Ben Botica
11. Tom Williams
10. Nick Evans
9. Danny Care

1. Joe Marler
2. Rob Buchanan
3. Will Collier
4. Nick Easter
5. George Robson
6. Luke Wallace
7. Chris Robshaw (C)
8. Tom Guest

Replacements
16. Dave Ward
17. Mark Lambert
18. Kyle Sinckler
19. George Merrick
20. Joe Trayfoot
21. Karl Dickson
22. Sam Smith
23. Charlie Walker

[yappysnap]

Man that is a poor looking side, hopefully they can come together and prove that a team is more then just the quality of the individuals in it. If we can defend well and deny clermont the tbp while getting the lbp then I'll be ecstatic.

A few observations; Hopper and Botica has car crash written all over it. Botica has never looked happy at 12 while Hopper can create magic but just as easily cause mayhem in our defence. If they're both not on top form then King and Fofana will have a field day. Hopefully though Botica's kicking will help to keep us in the right positions so any defensive lapses aren't too major.

Nick Easter must be gutted to be at lock for this game, against one of the best tight five's in the world he's going to have to play the kind of game that it took Kohn years to master. Behind him the backrow could be fantastic, if if Robshaw and Wallace forget about trying to be like big Mo, run at shoulders and keep the ball alive then Guest could cause havoc. It's just all about not getting dragged into the mud fight with Clermonts monsters.

[yappysnap]

So I was totally wrong!

Anyway on CAW there's still a lot of talk about our midfield issues, and without JTH around this probably isn't going to get fixed soon. Especially as Casson is a talent he just can't physically do what JTH does for us.

I've been thinking for a while now that surely that position is screaming out for us to sign a league player! We need a lump of a 12 who can offload, crash ball up and tackle well. Nev can deal with the (limited) kicking and Lowe can do any other passing that's needed. There has to be a few potentials out there who can't expect too big a salary. Perhaps worth looking at for next season now.

[thomh]

So I was totally wrong!

Anyway on CAW there's still a lot of talk about our midfield issues, and without JTH around this probably isn't going to get fixed soon. Especially as Casson is a talent he just can't physically do what JTH does for us.

I've been thinking for a while now that surely that position is screaming out for us to sign a league player! We need a lump of a 12 who can offload, crash ball up and tackle well. Nev can deal with the (limited) kicking and Lowe can do any other passing that's needed. There has to be a few potentials out there who can't expect too big a salary. Perhaps worth looking at for next season now.

You don't think we'll be Jonathan Davies' first choice then? Shame.

[yappysnap]

Would we want him?

[ChequeredJersey]

Yes.

[yappysnap]

Really for the £££'s he'd cost us?

[ChequeredJersey]

We've got Danny back for Sale

[thomh]

Really for the £££'s he'd cost us?

Well it's one area where we're really lacking and where there doesn't seem to be an obvious academy option coming through. Not seen too much of Sloan admittedly, but Lions series winning centres don't go out of contract very often.

[yappysnap]

Yea I know, and he'd be incredible for us especially as he pretty much plays our game already. But what with being apparently up to the cap I guess we're sacking off Evans to use his money to get Davies in with then?

[thomh]

Yea I know, and he'd be incredible for us especially as he pretty much plays our game already. But what with being apparently up to the cap I guess we're sacking off Evans to use his money to get Davies in with then?

Fa'asavalu is retiring at the end of this season I believe and won't be replaced from outside, and there's a chance we'll lose another back as well.

[yappysnap]

Trayfoot was immense so Mo's loss won't be a concern thankfully! Really looking forward to him getting some more time for us soon as well.

Cool well I guess it could be doable, but I just don't know if we want to blow all our cash on a 12 when we do have other problems in the squad, particularly if PDJ doesn't come good and Kennedy doesn't fill the Kohn role.

[ChequeredJersey]

Bugger. Buchanan out for 3 months. Time for an academy hooker on the bench...

[thomh]

Bugger. Buchanan out for 3 months. Time for an academy hooker on the bench...

That's appalling news.

[thomh]

Trayfoot was immense so Mo's loss won't be a concern thankfully! Really looking forward to him getting some more time for us soon as well.

Cool well I guess it could be doable, but I just don't know if we want to blow all our cash on a 12 when we do have other problems in the squad, particularly if PDJ doesn't come good and Kennedy doesn't fill the Kohn role.

Of course that's a valid point. Personally I'd back the academy forwards to come good though, ahead of the backs. Collier, Sinkler, Matthews, Trayfoot and Clifford all look pretty close to breaking the first team, so I would be reluctant to spend any loose cash on extra forwards. If there is any lying around then one of Davies or Yarde would be brilliant.

[ChequeredJersey]

No kicking penalties to touch this week then. Or for the next 12 weeks

[thomh]

How long is Gray out for?

[ChequeredJersey]

No idea but with his track record I wouldn't be surprised if it's for a while

[ChequeredJersey]

Marler against Clermont:
Pos T/A Pts K/P/R MR CB DB OL TO Tack LO Pen Y/R
P Marler 0/0 0 0/0/5 104 0 1 0 1 7/1 0/0 1 0/0

that's a lot of yards and tackles for a prop...

[yappysnap]

He was very busy around the park, good to see. Just wish he'd stop acting the pest.

Crap to hear about Buchanan

[yappysnap]

Just read that James O'Connor is coming North abd the head of the ARU has said it's to an English club. Maybe us...?

[Ozzy3213]

Nope!  

[quinsforever]

LI?

u a fan Ozzy?

[Ozzy3213]

Yes and yes.   

[yappysnap]

Dang!

Well I can only hope it doesn't work out while congratulating you on the coup!

[quinsforever]

Ha. was pretty obvious he was going to go with a london based club....should help fill a few seats at the madejski.

[ChequeredJersey]

Why's he going to Irish then?

[quinsforever]

i didnt say he was very bright.  

[Hubert Davenport]

Irish are a rubbish club. Why go there? He'll be the laughing stock of Oz if he does!

[Ozzy3213]

Rubbish, but good enough to beat you a couple of weeks ago.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                


                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

[Portnoy's Complaint]

http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2011/11/08/1226189/383945-ned-kelly.jpg

[beshocked]

Got to applaud Quins for somehow keeping a very proportion of their squad as English. 

I can see the temptation creeping in to sign foreigners to compete with the likes of Sarries,Leicester and Saints but I think you must back your academy more.

I say this because I am worried that Leicester are increasing their foreign count too high. Even though my own side have a lot of foreigners too (something that's not necessarily good) I think there should be an aspiration throughout the whole league to support young English players as you have done.

Don't be put off by your current poor form. Get behind your academy - play the likes of Sinckler and Walker - they are your future. I want clubs like my own,Leicester and Saints to do that more too.

If the academy isn't functioning as well as it has then why not?

Why aren't the likes of Casson and Lowe not firing?

[ChequeredJersey]

They keep getting niggly injuries so I think they are struggling to get te gametime to get back into the swing of things

[ChequeredJersey]

Quins sign Tim Molenar at centre for the season. I read this as a poor prognosis on Lowe

[propdavid_london]

The Quins injury list is shocking!
What do the Gloucester fans think of Molenar? I guess he slipped down the pecking order behind 36, Trinder and Tindall as a centre.

Hi CJ - or it could be a poor prognosis on JTH!

Anyone heard news on Guest? On a slight positive - Clifford had a good game.

[HongKongCherry]

He got injured a couple of seasons ago and never really re-gained his starting place or form.  On his day, if fully fit he is a big crash ball merchant with a surprising change of speed.  His distribution has improved over the last couple of years.  Definitely sorry to see him go, but he wasn't getting game time ahead of Mills, 36, Trinder and Tindall and we have a number of wings who could play centre to provide additional cover.  I'm sure he'd have left at the end of the season, so this provides him the chance to play and earn another contract elsewhere.  If he gets the game time and stays fit he could be a pretty decent acquisition.  Either way I wish him all the best  

[ChequeredJersey]

Luckily Tigers are similarly afflicted. JTH is definitely out until at least January. No idea on Guest, some people think he was applauding the crowd at the end of the match but I think that was Trayfoot and he was sent to hospital . Lowe is apparently slipped disc/vertebral problems which is MUCH worse than I'd expected

The key thing about Molenar is that he runs directly and hard which is what we are missing with no JTH. I genuinely think we are on the upswing now, we will still lose some matches but at least we seem to be playing better, and Sale looked good before last week unlike Worcester. Let's see how we do vs Tigers. I just want Matthews or Kennedy back.

Oh, and yes, Clifford was great

[ChequeredJersey]

Yeah, thanks HKC, we don't want flashy or world beating- we need someone to hit the line hard, suck in defenders and open up the change of point of attack game elsewhere

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