Harlequins 2013/14 Season Discussion Thread

by yappysnap Thu 04 Jul 2013, 8:36 pm

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 Fingers Crossed

to 2014's Aviva Prem Champs!! thumbsup

COYQ's!!!!

by ChequeredJersey Mon 28 Oct 2013, 5:16 pm

http://www.quins.co.uk/news/7953.php#.Um6bHndQJ8F

Bare bones A team with lots of fillers from outside the squad, but:

Matthews is back Yahoo

Molenar gets a go at 12
Baby Chis gets a run out, should be interesting
Clifford at 7 another area of interest, can he play flank?
Walker on the wing- as he is effectively cover for OC, wing and FB at the moment, nice to see him in another position

by ChequeredJersey Mon 28 Oct 2013, 5:17 pm

lol, two members of staff in the squad too!

by yappysnap Mon 28 Oct 2013, 5:20 pm

Lowe apparently out till the end of the season.

Guest may have been concussed so might have to miss next weeks game if his neck is fine.

Agree that Molenar might be just what the backline requires to help straighten them out (literally). He's big and runs hard, we don't really need much more. A lot of talk also that we need to keep money in reserve just in case another front row injury occurs as I'm fairly sure we have little to no cover there now outside of the match day 23.

by yappysnap Mon 28 Oct 2013, 5:23 pm

ChequeredJersey wrote:http://www.quins.co.uk/news/7953.php#.Um6bHndQJ8F

Bare bones A team with lots of fillers from outside the squad, but:

Matthews is back
Molenar gets a go at 12
Baby Chis gets a run out, should be interesting
Clifford at 7 another area of interest, can he play flank?
Walker on the wing- as he is effectively cover for OC, wing and FB at the moment, nice to see him in another position

Interesting team!

Great to see Matthews back, who'd have thought last season that we'd be relying on him so much as one of the experienced guys?! Little Chis should be good entertainment, let's hope he doesn't have older bro's bad luck though! I think Clifford's played flanker a few times for the A team and England. His body type looks suitable for stepping in to that position any way and he has the pace. The more game time for Walker the better, I just hope he's still playing this weekend as well.

Oh and number 23 looks quality Whistle

by ChequeredJersey Mon 28 Oct 2013, 5:24 pm

yappysnap wrote:
ChequeredJersey wrote:http://www.quins.co.uk/news/7953.php#.Um6bHndQJ8F

Bare bones A team with lots of fillers from outside the squad, but:

Matthews is back
Molenar gets a go at 12
Baby Chis gets a run out, should be interesting
Clifford at 7 another area of interest, can he play flank?
Walker on the wing- as he is effectively cover for OC, wing and FB at the moment, nice to see him in another position
Interesting team!

Great to see Matthews back, who'd have thought last season that we'd be relying on him so much as one of the experienced guys?! Little Chis should be good entertainment, let's hope he doesn't have older bro's bad luck though! I think Clifford's played flanker a few times for the A team and England. His body type looks suitable for stepping in to that position any way and he has the pace. The more game time for Walker the better, I just hope he's still playing this weekend as well.

He'll be on the bench

by yappysnap Mon 28 Oct 2013, 5:27 pm

Do you think Molenar may get the bench spot ahead of him CJ?

by ChequeredJersey Mon 28 Oct 2013, 5:30 pm

yappysnap wrote:Do you think Molenar may get the bench spot ahead of him CJ?

Depends- if Casson starts, then it's possible but I think it would be a poor idea on the basis of leaving absolutely no cover for the back 3. If Casson starts I would expect a Dickson, Botica, Walker bench, if Molenar starts the same, if Botica starts I will be sad, though he was better at 12 last week. Rather keep him covering 10

by yappysnap Mon 28 Oct 2013, 5:36 pm

I was thinking we may see either:

12. Casson/Botica 13. Hopper/Molenar

Botica is in with a real shout for staying at 12 if Molenar gels well as his kicking was superb against Sale and it'll take pressure off Nev. If Molenar can cover the D and truck the ball up then it could hide Botica's weaknesses.

If Molenar starts then I wouldn't be surprised to see Hopper take Walker's shirt. Or perhaps a bench of Burns, Hopper, Walker/Casson.

by ChequeredJersey Mon 28 Oct 2013, 9:12 pm

15-42 win for our A team over Wasps, great play, also bath beating Sarries by a lot so the A trophy is still winnable too!

by yappysnap Tue 29 Oct 2013, 8:30 am

I think I read on the Quins forum that Sarries need to beat Wasps with a tbp and by 30+ points to get through, difficult now that the weather is turning bad Fingers Crossed

Oh and a really good win for the patchwork team that was sent out. Really highlights the depth of injuries that we've taken but great to see Mathews back.

by propdavid_london Wed 30 Oct 2013, 12:20 pm

So, how does the A-league work? With such a patchwork team and 'guest' players. Do these guys still have to be loosely associated with quins in order to play? Is there some wider organisation than the academy - like a junior academy - I think its called the elite player development group! But I had thought that was for players that weren't old enough to play senior rugby.

Can quins use the A-league to assess potential recruits as trial games?

by ChequeredJersey Wed 30 Oct 2013, 12:23 pm

Yes they can and they have. We can bring in people from loosely affiliated clubs, "Players from feeder clubs are allowed to play under dual registration for additional development benefit."

by ChequeredJersey Wed 30 Oct 2013, 3:57 pm

Harlequins announced today (30th October) that George Lowe will not play rugby for the rest of the season as a result of the injury he suffered in the match with Saracens on 28th September.

Lowe (24) injured his neck while making a tackle in the 15th minute of the match at The Stoop. He was replaced and taken to hospital for assessment. He was released, discharged and returned home.

Following further scans and guidance from specialists over the past four weeks, George has been advised not to play again this season. Instead he will undertake a programme of treatment that aims to have him fit to return to action for the 2014-15 season.

George was educated at Epsom College and played for Cobham RFC from where he joined the Harlequins Academy. He played for the England Under 20s in the Junior World Championships in 2009 and was called into the England squad that toured South Africa in 2012.

He made his senior debut for Harlequins in 2008 and has since made 107 appearances during which he has scored 24 tries. George started at outside centre in Harlequins' three trophy-winning finals during the last three seasons – the Amlin Challenge Cup in 2011, the Aviva Premiership in 2012 and the LV= Cup earlier this year.

Love sacks

by yappysnap Wed 30 Oct 2013, 5:10 pm

That is terrible.

All the best to Lowe and I hope he comes back stronger for it.

So let's hope Molenar and Hopper can both step up and do him proud.

by Geordie Thu 31 Oct 2013, 10:50 am

Quins are having a tough time...currently in the treatment room are:

•Rob Buchanan (torn pectoral muscle)
•Ross Chisholm (anterior cruciate ligament)
•Paul Doran-Jones (neck)
•Maurie Fa'asavalu (hamstring)
•Nick Kennedy (knee)
•Ollie Lindsay-Hague (shoulder)
•George Lowe (neck)
•Harry Sloan (foot)
•Jordan Turner-Hall (hip)

by Cumbrian Thu 31 Oct 2013, 11:34 am

Combine that with the players they've got away with England (three very important players) in Marler, Robshaw and Brown, that is a big old gap in the Quin's squad. Any team would do well to be competitive after sustaining those losses.

by ChequeredJersey Thu 31 Oct 2013, 11:53 am

We've had niggles to Casson, Matthews, Williams, Monye as well and Casson and Matthews are only just back. Add in losing Kohn and our second row has been screwed, as have our centres

by yappysnap Fri 01 Nov 2013, 10:24 am

To be fair though we've been pretty lucky with injuries up until now so I guess this was coming.

Let's do the big thing and not winge on about them at every opportunity, especially pre game (like a certain mid country side).

by APQuins Mon 04 Nov 2013, 4:38 pm

Great result for Quins this weekend. Sort of amused by both the BBC report on the game and the ITV highlights programme showing that Leicester have a long injury list and players away with Internationals. Fair play to Mr Cockerill as he did not stand behind that excuse. However Quins also have a long injury list (not quite sure but about 10 or 12 I think) and 3 players away at the Internationals. There was no mention of that unless I missed it. As one example, Nick Evans started at full back as Mick Brown playing for England, 2nd choice injured, 3rd choice injured (he plays on the wing normally anyway) and so they had big reshuffle. Please can broadcasters be slightly more balanced in their reporting. Thanks
PS sorry if this is duplicated as just joined the forum and getting used to what is where

by thomh Mon 04 Nov 2013, 4:50 pm

Against Leicester, Quins had three first-choice players playing in their first-choice positions.

by tigerleghorn Tue 05 Nov 2013, 4:11 pm

Well done Quins, good win at WR on Saturday. Just thought I'd pop in to see what your resident troll Logans run or whatever he is now, thought of it.

Surprise surprise, not a word, who'd a thought it?

by ChequeredJersey Tue 05 Nov 2013, 4:12 pm

He's banned isn't he?

by ChequeredJersey Wed 06 Nov 2013, 10:11 am

So what do we think for the LV?

I'd like to see:

15- Walker
14- Smith
13- Molenaar
12- Casson
11- Sackey
10- Bots
9- Dickson
8- Clifford
7- Wallace
6- Trayfoot
5- Matthews
4- Merrick
3- PDJ?
2- Allen (Ward needs to be wrapped in cotton wool)
1- Lambert

Marfo, ???, Sinckler, Twomey, Chisholm, Burns, Grimoldby, another winger

by thomh Wed 06 Nov 2013, 10:27 am

If Twomey is fit then he tends to be ahead of Merrick, doesn't he?

by ChequeredJersey Wed 06 Nov 2013, 10:29 am

If he's fit then he'd be coming back from injury though

by yappysnap Wed 06 Nov 2013, 3:24 pm

Love that backrow.

by ChequeredJersey Fri 08 Nov 2013, 1:36 pm

Teams Up
Posted by: Bedfordshire Boy (IP Logged)
Date: 08 November, 2013 12:03

Harlequins have announced the team to play Exeter Chiefs tomorrow at Sandy Park in the first round of the LV= Cup. Kick-off is at 3.00pm.

Luke Wallace, who led Harlequins to the trophy last season, will captain the team in tomorrow's match.
A number of senior players have been rested to give some younger players and those returning from injury an opportunity.

Among the backs Charlie Walker moves to full back with Paul Sackey returning from injury on the right wing. Sam Smith is named on the left wing with Tim Molenaar and Tom Casson in the centres. Casson makes his return following a five-week lay-off while Molenaar continues following his "man of the match" performance at Welford Road last Saturday. Ben Botica and Karl Dickson are the half-backs.

The front row remains unchanged from last week and there is one change to the back row with Jack Clifford coming in for Tom Guest. In the second row George Merrick and Charlie Matthews replace Nick Easter and George Robson respectively.

Among the replacements James Chisholm, Sam Stuart and Louis Grimoldby are named for the first time this season with 18-year-old Chisholm ready to make his senior debut for the club. Tom Guest and Matt Hopper offer some experience with Harry Allen, Darryl Marfo and Nic Mayhew again ready to make an impact.

Harlequins:
15 Charlie Walker
14 Paul Sackey
13 Tim Molenaar
12 Tom Casson
11 Sam Smith
10 Ben Botica
9 Karl Dickson

1 Mark Lambert
2 Dave Ward
3 Will Collier
4 George Merrick
5 Charlie Matthews
6 Joe Trayfoot
7 Luke Wallace (capt)
8 Jack Clifford

16 Harry Allen
17 Darryl Marfo
18 Nic Mayhew
19 James Chisholm
20 Tom Guest
21 Sam Stuart
22 Louis Grimoldby
23 Matt Hopper

I was quite close, hopefully we get Sinckler, PDJ and Kennedy back soon. Not sure who covers lock but actually probably a really good second row to start with, and a classy if inexperienced back row. Molenaar at 13 is interesting to watch and good to see Casson fully back and Walker starting again. The Exeter team looks good too so hopefully it will be a good quality match and I'll watch the highlights

by yappysnap Sat 09 Nov 2013, 9:18 pm

Stupid LV. It's not a proper competition anyway... Whistle

by ChequeredJersey Sun 10 Nov 2013, 6:16 pm

Oh well, not the end of the world, due to its ridiculous nature we could still easily qualify in this competition anyway, hope we see Kendo next week!

by yappysnap Sun 10 Nov 2013, 6:55 pm

Very true. Is it LV this weekend as well? I'd love to see Kendo back as well alongside Matthews and Robson that's a good assortment of locks to pick from suddenly. Just waiting on the hookers, Lowe and back three players to get fit after that.

by george doors Thu 14 Nov 2013, 2:23 pm

Harlequins Harlequins v Sale Sharks 15th November 2013 19:45 Twickenham Stoop LV= Cup Sale Sharks OverviewPreviewLineupsFormationMatch Preview::Match Preview by Callum SheppardHarlequins team to play Sale SharksHarlequins have announced the team to play Sale Sharks in Round 2 of the LV= Cup at the Twickenham Stoop tomorrow, kick-off 7.45pm.There are three personnel changes to the side which played Exeter Chiefs last weekend as Darryl Marfo and Tom Williams are named, with 18 year-old number 8 James Chisholm making his senior starting debut for the club.

Williams starts at full-back with Charlie Walker moving to the right wing. Centres Tom Casson and Tim Molenaar switch as the half back partnership remains unchanged.

In the forwards, Marfo makes his first start of the season, joining Mark Lambert and Dave Ward in the front row.

The final change to the forward pack sees James Chisholm joining Joe Trayfoot and captain Luke Wallace in the back row.

Harlequins Team

15. Tom Williams
14. Charlie Walker
13. Tom Casson
12. Tim Molenaar
11. Sam Smith
10. Ben Botica
9. Karl Dickson

1. Darryl Marfo
2. Dave Ward
3. Mark Lambert
4.George Merrick
5. Charlie Matthews
6. Joe Trayfoot
7. Luke Wallace (C)
8. James Chisholm

16. Harry Allen
17. Nic Mayhew
18. Will Collier
19. Tom Guest
20. Matt Hopper
21. Sam Stuart
22. Louis Grimoldby
23. Paul Sackey

by ChequeredJersey Thu 14 Nov 2013, 2:46 pm

Chis Jr starts?! I wanted to see Kendo back but I guess it gives the pack a chance to make amends

by propdavid_london Thu 14 Nov 2013, 2:52 pm

Whats happened to Jack Clifford? He's not injured is he?

by ChequeredJersey Thu 14 Nov 2013, 2:54 pm

Maybe he's rested as he's seen as a possible for Gloucester?

by ChequeredJersey Thu 14 Nov 2013, 2:54 pm

Maybe we just want to see what Baby Chis can do

by yappysnap Thu 14 Nov 2013, 8:55 pm

Clifford went off last week with a knee injury! (Sad face)

Interesting that we have four backs on the bench, no more forwards or a tactical choice?

by yappysnap Thu 14 Nov 2013, 8:56 pm

Oh and odd that Casson's at 13 too.

by ChequeredJersey Thu 14 Nov 2013, 8:58 pm

Probably the former. Sadly. Got to rest Easter and Robson, no Robshaw, Twomey injured, Clifford injured, Mo injured, Kendo injured, so by extension we have to play 4 backs really

by propdavid_london Fri 15 Nov 2013, 8:52 am

Crikey - the injury list is that bad is it! This really is a bare bones LV side.
Do we need to sign a few more medical jokers?

by ChequeredJersey Fri 15 Nov 2013, 9:17 am

Nah, I reckon COS is playing safe with some of the players nearly back. At least I hope so

by Hubert Davenport Fri 15 Nov 2013, 2:44 pm

oh dear. Crappy Quins to loose at home. AGAIN

by Hubert Davenport Fri 15 Nov 2013, 2:46 pm

ChequeredJersey wrote:Nah, I reckon COS is playing safe with some of the players nearly back. At least I hope so

COS has no idea what he's doing

by quinsforever Fri 15 Nov 2013, 3:07 pm

welcome back trev

by ChequeredJersey Fri 15 Nov 2013, 3:13 pm

To be honest if we lose tonight, MEH. I'd rather we gave young/fringe players a go

by Hubert Davenport Fri 15 Nov 2013, 3:33 pm

we did that last week and got hammered. Even the second string is going backwards. The club is a shambles.

by ChequeredJersey Fri 15 Nov 2013, 3:55 pm

Yeah, let's ignore the positive results and focus on the meaningless ones...

by yappysnap Fri 15 Nov 2013, 4:21 pm

Good to have Logansrun back, still playing that broken record I see. Odd he had nothing to say about any if Quins wins though...

by ChequeredJersey Fri 15 Nov 2013, 4:23 pm

He'd said it best when he said nothing at all, one might say

by Hubert Davenport Fri 15 Nov 2013, 5:03 pm

One decent win all season. One very lucky one against Wasps; a win against Wuss, one of the worst teams in Europe and win against Sale, who are mid table at best.

Humiliating losses against Saints (only the weather prevented a bigger humping), Sarries, London Irish (total sh1t team) and effectively out the HC.

Its a pathetic season and the win against Tigers was nothing more than a fluke.

by ChequeredJersey Fri 15 Nov 2013, 5:11 pm

Cool, so if we win against a more worthy side and win well, or make the top 4, or in fact do anything good this season, you'll come back on here, apologise for your BS and eat humble pie, right? I'll do the same if we do as poorly as you and your "predecessors" think we'll do. I'll say I was wrong and you were right and whilst I won't be happy, as we'll have by definition have had a poor season, I'm man enough to do it. Can we have an agreement from you to do the same when we finish the season, and every time we have a good win and swear to urine off and leave everyone alone if you don't have the balls to come and eat your words?

Seems a fair deal to me

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