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!!!!

[thomh]

Shame about Yarde - but in the long term a option that isn't likely to be called up for internationals is a good bet.  

What do you mean? All the media reports suggest he is signing/has signed.

[propdavid_london]

I had read suggestions that if we are signing a new Fijian wing that we would be less likely to sign a second winger at the same time.

If Quins go ahead and acquire 2 wingers I would be a little surprised - unless as others have said on the transfers topic that we have someone else leaving/retiring!

There is/was talk of Sam Smith leaving (or not having his contract renewed). That explains Yarde coming in.
This new announcement of a Fijian winger (also a 13) that perhaps he is coming in because there is negative news about Chisholms injury, or Lowes injury?

Or, the other suggestion is that perhaps this is a replacement for Sackey - who was only with Quins as a medical joker!

[thomh]

Well the Mail have said that Yarde has actually already signed, so I wouldn't worry too much that the other rumours might mean the deal is off.

[Heaf]

of course the mail could be wrong?

[beshocked]

Why is there no confirmation of what Yarde is actually doing?

[propdavid_london]

Article on ESPN now that Yard is set for switch to Quins - £200k deal has been mentioned.

[yappysnap]

Sam Smith might be off to Wuss

[propdavid_london]

It would be a shame to see the young talent that's come through the academy leave.
Sam Smith hasn't had the best of seasons, but last year and the previous were exceptional. Do we know if its Sam wanting to leave or contracts just not being renewed?

I was also disappointed when Seb Stegman left for Lon Welsh - that was a gamble that really didn't pay off for him. A move to Worcester could be just as risky for Smith at this point.

[thomh]

It would be a shame to see the young talent that's come through the academy leave.  
Sam Smith hasn't had the best of seasons, but last year and the previous were exceptional.  Do we know if its Sam wanting to leave or contracts just not being renewed?

I was also disappointed when Seb Stegman left for Lon Welsh - that was a gamble that really didn't pay off for him.  A move to Worcester could be just as risky for Smith at this point.

I wouldn't go overboard. Sam Smith is a good player - pretty fast and pretty strong with decent hands - but he's never been first choice, and he's never really kicked on like his early try-scoring record suggested he would. I'm never worried when I see his name on the team sheet. There isn't really a contest when you compare him to Yarde though, who has the physical attributes to be a top international for a long time.

[ChequeredJersey]

It would be a shame to see the young talent that's come through the academy leave.  
Sam Smith hasn't had the best of seasons, but last year and the previous were exceptional.  Do we know if its Sam wanting to leave or contracts just not being renewed?

I was also disappointed when Seb Stegman left for Lon Welsh - that was a gamble that really didn't pay off for him.  A move to Worcester could be just as risky for Smith at this point.

I wouldn't go overboard. Sam Smith is a good player - pretty fast and pretty strong with decent hands - but he's never been first choice, and he's never really kicked on like his early try-scoring record suggested he would. I'm never worried when I see his name on the team sheet. There isn't really a contest when you compare him to Yarde though, who has the physical attributes to be a top international for a long time.

I think he'll do well at Wuss, he'll be wanting regular rugby more than anything. And good luck to him, it's a shame we can't keep every academy player we've produced but we can't

[propdavid_london]

OK - I agree, exceptional is a bit much! Moving to Worcester will give him more game time - albeit in the championship.
I just feel that we need to nurture the club players as much as the superstars. Yarde coming in is great news - but how much of the season will be available for? I guess that's why we are looking at that other Fijian wing.

[ChequeredJersey]

OK - I agree, exceptional is a bit much! Moving to Worcester will give him more game time - albeit in the championship.  
I just feel that we need to nurture the club players as much as the superstars.  Yarde coming in is great news - but how much of the season will be available for?  I guess that's why we are looking at that other Fijian wing.

We do nurture the squad players though, don't we? How many superstars have we brought in? And how many of the squad players get decent gametime across the season?

[thomh]

OK - I agree, exceptional is a bit much! Moving to Worcester will give him more game time - albeit in the championship.  
I just feel that we need to nurture the club players as much as the superstars.  Yarde coming in is great news - but how much of the season will be available for?  I guess that's why we are looking at that other Fijian wing.

I've posted this on comeallwithin, but I think that if Yarde IS missing for international periods, then that will only be because he's doing well for us during the rest of the season. The international point is overplayed anyway in my opinion. England players are available for the whole Heineken Cup, the Premiership playoffs and 75% of the regular Premiership season. You'd never play them in the LV= Cup anyway, though I guess it does mean you don't get to rest them then. Squads are in constant transition, and the handful of Premiership games missed just gives the next academy player (Walker, Chisholm, OLH, whoever) a bridge between LV= Cup and full first team rugby.

Leicester are constantly unhappy at the number of games their players miss, but they've been in the last 9 or so Premiership finals despite it. It's just an acceptable side-effect of having the best players.

[propdavid_london]

Fair point Thom.
And CJ - you are right - we do look after our club players better than most. Take the recent game against Tigers. There is a side that, once you take away their front line players there is a bit of a gap in quality, but that LV cup game showed the real squad quality, mostly in club players + a frustrated Mo and JTH coming back from injury.

Next season could be very interesting - but this season isn't done yet and there is still plenty to play for.

[yappysnap]

Don't forget it's not like we sign superstars every season. Last summer we'd only made two signings, both as direct replacements for long term club men.

[propdavid_london]

That's true - it almost feels like we've been saving for a few years in order to have a big splurge out shopping trip.
While we are in the market we can still look for a big lump TH and a big lump Second Row.

[thomh]

Second row is more likely I think, just because we've currently only got 3 real first team players there plus Easter. Whatever you think of Paul Doran Jones, I can't imagine us signing another tighthead to go along with him, Collier and Sinkler. There's always Lambert in emergencies as well, though his performances since switching the loosehead are incomparable to his past form at tight.

[ChequeredJersey]

Yarde confirmed coming to us

[ChequeredJersey]

Harlequins have announced the team to play Cardiff Blues at Cardiff Arms Park tomorrow in Round 4 of the LV= Cup, kick-off 7.05pm.
There are four changes to the side which beat Leicester Tigers last weekend. Sam Smith is named on the wing in place of Tom Williams who will be out between six to eight weeks with a leg injury, while Sam Stuart makes his first senior start for the club.

Darryl Marfo is named at loosehead prop, with Sam Twomey making his first start of the season, in the second row. Tom Guest captains the side at number 8 and will make his 200th senior appearance for the club.

Among the replacements, Elite Player Development Group (EPDG) members Kieran Treadwell (John Fisher School) and Henry Cheeseman (Whitgift School) are named, with Jordan Burns looking to make his first appearance of the season.

Harlequins team

15. Ollie Lindsay-Hague
14. Paul Sackey
13. Harry Sloan
12. Jordan Turner-Hall
11. Sam Smith
10. Ben Botica
9. Sam Stuart

1. Darryl Marfo
2. Joe Gray
3. Paul Doran Jones
4. George Merrick
5. Sam Twomey
6. Joe Trayfoot
7. Maurie Fa'asavalu
8. Tom Guest (C)

16. Nic Mayhew
17. Mark Lambert
18. Kyle Sinckler
19. Kieran Treadwell
20. Henry Cheeseman
21. Jordan Burns
22. Louis Grimoldby
23. Ugo Monye

[propdavid_london]

Great! Another injury! Speedy recovery Tom Williams

[yappysnap]

So stolen from CAW seems like we have a few players left to sign up this season.

Gray, Buchanan and Ward
Marler
Matthews
Mo
Guest?
Botica?
Molenaar?
JTH?
Smith
Sackey

From that list I've struck through the players I expect we'll lose. Sackey is only injury cover, Mo is expected to retire and Smith's already gone. Molenaar as well is a potential as he's only injury cover at the moment and fighting with a fair few others. JTH has lost his starting spot and we've coped well without him (mainly due to Molenaar) I hope we keep him but how much will he cost? Like wise Botica just isn't getting used and could be frustrated, same for Guest who still finds himself behind Easter and now Wallace as well.

Mathews and Marler must be kept, likewise all three hookers should be fought for with our injury rate there.

[ChequeredJersey]

Think we will lose a centre, possibly. Molenaar said he wanted a longer term contract with us though, so that's up to COS. JTH I expect is similar. Marler will stay, I think we'll lose one Hooker because we have too many too good hookers to promise them all lots of rugby! Mo might retire. Sackey is just having a last fling before he retires. Guest might go if he doesn't have a contract, he will want gametime and our backrow is too competitive! Matthews will stay, I reckon, he knows he can be first choice here. Botica I hope we can keep but it depends whether he genuinely thinks he could ever play for NZ and what the deal with Nev is longer term

[ChequeredJersey]

Harlequins team to play London WaspsHarlequins have named the side to face London Wasps in round 13 of the Aviva Premiership on Sunday, kick-off 1.00pm live on BT Sport.Nick Evans, George Robson and Nick Easter all return to the starting line-up having been rested for both LV= Cup weekends . Easter will captain the side.
In the backs Jordan Turner-Hall plays his first Aviva Premiership game since hip surgery in September and he partners Tim Molenaar in the centres. Ollie Lindsay-Hague continues as full back with Sam Smith and Ugo Monye on the wings. Karl Dickson and Evans complete the backline at scrum-half and fly-half respectively.

In the pack Mark Lambert and Paul Doran Jones both start, with Dave Ward making up the front row. Nick Kennedy and Robson form the second row, whilst the back row comprises Tom Guest, Maurie Fa'asavalu and Easter.

Among the replacements, last week's debutant Sam Stuart is named alongside Ben Botica and Tom Casson, who returns to action for the first time since Big Game 6. Joe Gray, Darryl Marfo and Kyle Sinckler form the front row replacements while Charlie Matthews and Luke Wallace return from England Saxons duty to provide cover in the second row and back row respectively.

Harlequins team:

15 Ollie Lindsay-Hague
14 Sam Smith
13 Tim Molenaar
12 Jordan Turner-Hall
11 Ugo Monye
10 Nick Evans
9 Karl Dickson

8 Nick Easter
7 Maurie Fa'asavalu
6 Tom Guest
5 George Robson
4 Nick Kennedy
3 Paul Doran Jones
2 Dave Ward
1 Mark Lambert

Replacements:

16 Joe Gray
17 Darryl Marfo
18 Kyle Sinckler
19 Charlie Matthews
20 Luke Wallace
21 Sam Stuart
22 Ben Botica
23 Tom Casson

[beshocked]

London Wasps team to play Harlequins at The Stoop, kick off 13:00.
15. Elliot Daly
14. Will Helu
13. Andrea Masi
12. Chris Bell (c)
11. James Short
10. Andy Goode
9. Joe Simpson
1. Matt Mullan
2. Carlo Festuccia
3. Jake Cooper-Woolley
4. Tom Palmer
5. Kearnan Myall
6. Ashley Johnson
7. James Haskell
8. Sam Jones
16. Tom Lindsay
17. Simon McIntyre
18. Phil Swainston
19. James Cannon
20. Guy Thompson
21. Brett Sheehan
22. Joe Carlisle
23. Charlie Hayter

Should be an interesting match.

[Sam]

Should be a good game, even with internationals away I wouldn't say either of those are weak teams.

[Sam]

Tight game! Glad we got the win, what happened to Robson? - He had to pull out before hand I heard as Matthews started, I only managed to watch from about 30 minutes.

[propdavid_london]

So, the Wasps and Falcons games were pretty bad from a Quins perspective.
Hopefully we arent in a bit of a slump.
If we dont improve we will be looking at an away defeat and if we switch off like we did against Falcons then we could see Worcester win their first game!

[yappysnap]

We lost our 6Ns matches last season so even though the matches aren't our best we've still improved.

Weather hasn't helped but I still think we'll beat Wuss!

[propdavid_london]

True Yappy - I guess there is the fact that we still won those games - dispite playing badly.

[yappysnap]

And Glos are at the moment even worse then us. So fingers crossed they stay like that this weekend!

[propdavid_london]

In squad news, following medical advice, it has been confirmed that Will Collier will be out until the tail end of the season at best with a neck injury sustained in the Heineken Cup match against Scarlets in January.

[ChequeredJersey]

[ChequeredJersey]

Match Preview by Callum SheppardHarlequins team to play Gloucester RugbyHarlequins have announced the team to play Gloucester Rugby at Kingsholm in Round 15 of the Aviva Premiership tomorrow, kick-off 2:00pm.There are four changes to the side that beat Newcastle Falcons last weekend at The Stoop.

In the front row, Joe Gray starts at hooker alongside Mark Lambert. Tighthead prop Kyle Sinckler will make his first start of the season.

George Robson returns to the second row and partners Nick Kennedy, with number 8 Nick Easter captaining the side from an unchanged back row.

There is just one change to the backline as Tim Molenaar is named in place of Jordan Turner-Hall who picked up a knock in training this week.

In squad news, following medical advice, it has been confirmed that Will Collier will be out until the tail end of the season at best with a neck injury sustained in the Heineken Cup match against Scarlets in January.

Harlequins Team

15. Ollie Lindsay-Hague
14. Sam Smith
13. Tom Casson
12. Tim Molenaar
11. Ugo Monye
10. Ben Botica
9. Karl Dickson

1. Mark Lambert
2. Joe Gray
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. Nick Kennedy
5. George Robson
6. Maurie Fa'asavalu
7. Luke Wallace
8. Nick Easter (C)

16. Dave Ward
17. Darryl Marfo
18. Paul Doran Jones
19. Charlie Matthews
20. Tom Guest
21. Sam Stuart
22. Louis Grimoldby
23. Paul Sackey

[ChequeredJersey]

Gloucester could win this, big game for Sinckler, Botica needs to step up

[propdavid_london]

Yeah, good to see Sinkler starting - it wasnt working for PDJ.
Although I worry with Kendo and Robson that we wont have the dominance over Gloucester that a lot of other clubs have enjoyed.
Agree that a lot of the guys need to step up to previous levels.
Molenar comes in for JTH - His 1st game at old club - will he have a point to prove vs Tinds/Trinder?

[ChequeredJersey]

As far as I can see if both teams play as they can or as badly as they have recently, we should win. If they play well

[HongKongCherry]

In case any of you have withdrawal symptoms follow this link and go to the last comment on the page; perhaps the most useless wum ever! http://gloucesterrugby.net/glos-rugby-forum/index.php/topic,4682.15.html

[ChequeredJersey]

Bless

[ChequeredJersey]

He was on our Quins board under a different name but let his mask slip

[yappysnap]

Good article on ESPN re the England try scored by Care:

The try was scored just in front of Twickenham Stadium's South Stand but it could have just easily occurred a few minutes stroll across the A316 at the Stoop as three of Harlequins' players combined to give England the lead against Ireland.

When Danny Care crossed the try line, Harlequins boss Conor O'Shea was experiencing contrasting emotions. His pastoral head was enjoying seeing three of his players link up in a ruthless Test-altering manner. The Quins side of his life was still attempting to pick through why they had just lost 25-20 to Gloucester at Kingsholm while his Irish roots were hurting at seeing the country he represented 35 times fall behind.

"I feel immense pride at how our four boys [Chris Robshaw, Danny Care, Joe Marler and Mike Brown] are playing at the moment for England, as I'm sure other coaches are with their players," O'Shea told ESPN. "I'm delighted that when you promote players such as Joe and Danny, they come through and everyone has to feel pride. They all say it's the team that creates tries, though it was nice to see the guys combine for a try like that.


They'll be re-judged on the next game against Wales as that's the way sport is. Dick Best said to me 'from back-slapping to back-stabbing is only a game away'

"Going into the game I said I hoped our four lads were going to be the best players on the pitch but that Ireland won. I nearly got it right."

Harlequins and Northampton have formed the backbone of this current England side - the team that started against Ireland had four from either club. For the Quins players in the XV, each of them have had to overcome their share of setbacks before they could experience days like Saturday.

Marler struggled against Wales last year in that famous 30-3 drubbing. Care was dropped before the 2012 Six Nations for off-field reasons and recently had to watch Lee Dickson start during the autumn Tests. Robshaw was omitted from the 2011 World Cup squad while Brown went 21 Tests without scoring a try.

"They are all incredibly driven players," O'Shea said. "Browny will only reflect on his career when it's over and that's the same with Robshaw. All four are desperate to succeed and they have one massive goal in their mind. Like the Olympics was for athletes, a home World Cup is a huge thing for them. Any professional sports person is driven differently than others and has a unique desire to be successful and that's what marks them apart.

"Each of the four have achieved things but to replicate it week in week out is the challenge for top players."

One member of the Quins quarter, Marler, was involved in the scrum at the start of the passage of play that led to Care's try. "It's incredible he's only 23," O'Shea said. "Unfortunately for a lot of the other props in the world he'll be running around for a long time".

But it was his three Quins team-mates who had a role in each of the three stages of the score. Three players who have learnt their trade at Quins and have reaped the benefits of O'Shea's tutelage in the last four years.


© Getty Images
Enlarge
Chris Robshaw ... Oh that's a great pass to Brown

"Robbo [Robshaw] and Tom Wood work perfect together in the back-row. Their work-rate allows Billy Vunipola and Ben Morgan to do what they do best. Injury permitting, they are like Dallaglio and Hill for how much work they put in for this team.

"Chris has been the captain since I came here. He's grown and grown as a leader and has a huge thirst for knowledge. He's in a good place."

Brown up to the 10-metre line, Brown still going

England's Mike Brown breaks the line, England v Ireland, Six Nations, Twickenham, London, February 22, 2014
© Getty Images
Enlarge
"Every journey is a long and arduous one and Brown has had to have faith in himself. He's comfortable in himself and he delivers it week in week out. He's not Mr. Angry though, he's Mr. Competitive. That can be mistaken. He has a brilliant desire to be successful.

"With maturity he has controlled the competitive desire. He's been able to really control how he channels that. He just thrives in big environments and the harder the game, the more people write him off, the more he rises to the challenge. The accolades won't get to him as he will look at how to get better."

The pass back to Danny Care … Care for the line … The game has been ripped open!


© Getty Images
Enlarge
"Danny will need to keep this up now. There's plenty of competition at scrum-half and as a squad, they have five Lions out injured. But I've always championed Danny. He's a match-winner and a great bloke. I like players who get you on the edge of your seat and he does that. You have to back him and tell him 'go out and be you'. I'd loved to have got inside his head when he scored the try as for that last 20 yards it must have been pretty special."

It was a perfect example of what O'Shea has instilled in his players, the belief to back themselves no matter what adversity they are faced with or opponent running at them. O'Shea frequently draws on tradition at Quins and if you sat him and Lancaster in a room together and gave both region-free accents, you would struggle to determine which was which. They sing from the same hymn sheet.

"It's an exciting challenge, and there's more excitement to come," O'Shea said. "We just want to play our way and deliver what this club is all about, you think about Harlequins and you think of entertainment and we want to be true to those traditional values.

"Hopefully the way the players represent us is good. They're all young guys and young guys do make mistakes especially when you are in the public eye and some have to learn the hard way. But as long as they are thinking in the right way and their intent is for the good, then I'm happy.

"People know I get on very well with Stuart. It's great seeing the start, and that's all it is for this team. They'll be re-judged on the next game against Wales as that's the way sport is. Dick Best said to me 'from back-slapping to back-stabbing is only a game away'. That's what sport is and we all understand that. I'm delighted for our guys and I'm sure there'll be a lot of others clubs who are pleased for theirs. But there's a long way to go in what they want to achieve and that's what they'll be judged on."

The time for celebration and patting on backs comes after silverware. At Harlequins they have had 46 individuals play for their first-team this season but they are all one team, the same message Brown produced when he picked up the Man of the Match award after England's win over Ireland. Personal accolades and platitudes mean little midway through the season at Quins and England it seems, it's all about the bigger picture.

"I think anyone who has watched us will know you do see tries like that scored for Harlequins though probably with different players involved. I saw the interview afterwards when Mike was interviewed and they said it was a try created by Harlequins. He said 'no, it was a try created by the team'. That's the way it is."

Hopefully with the gradual freeing up of how the backs operate and with the team settling we'll continue to see a positive Quins influence on the national side. Just need to deal with losing 4+ players to make it happen.

[ChequeredJersey]

It's ok. I expect those 4 to make a huge difference when they come back. Would be nice if Yarde could come off the bench vs Italy to play with Mike

[yappysnap]

Looking forward to seeing Yarde and Brown combine in the summer and next season. Especially
with the Chiefs guy coming across as well.

Still need some new forwards IMO! Hope Connor has a few up his sleeve.

[ChequeredJersey]

Firstly we need to make sure we keep Marler

[yappysnap]

You think he may actually go? Why would he leave when he's a big fixture at the club, guaranteed a starting spot and owe's the coaches a heck of a lot? I can only see him leave if CoS can only offer him less then he's on now.

[LondonTiger]

Rather than would he go (pretty much everyone would move for the right offer) but who would be able to take him?

If we assume that Marler wants to continue playing for England then French clubs are ruled out. Withinn the AP:

Northampton - Big money signing of Corbisiero last summer in Marler's position, very promising back-up from the Waller boys. However if Corbs' knee is bad enough to bring on early retirement they could well be interested.

Saracens - Presence of Mako Vunipola with able backup from Barrington, and a side surely close to the cap - cannot see them being interested.

Bath - Paul James and cap issues here, though they could well be interested in Marler and rotating could be good for him and club (more later)

Leicester - Marcos Ayerza misses the first 7 games or so due to 4Ns and AIs, Stankovich and Schuster tweo experienced props being released. Leicester know from the Cole/Castro rotations that having two international class props can be good for club and players (Cole looking so knackered is due to insufficient rest, partly due to Lions tour and partly to Castro leaving). Marler would not get more money from Leicester, but he would get a more powerful set of forwards around him, making his life easier and giving him the chance to shine.



Having said all of that, he would be daft to move. Quins do need to bulk up the pack for next season though.

[ChequeredJersey]

Heard Exeter rumours (cheaper living, he already travels 3 hours to the Stoop every day, Rob Baxter apparently growing in coaching influence with England and when Marler quipped how good Flood's French was on twitter when Flood was leaving, Flood replied "how is your Devonshire?"), hoping it is nothing but until he re-signs it's a worry


Lock and TH and if Mo leaves a blindside needed, but also how much more Marler gets or who replaces him should he go will heavily affect our spending

[LondonTiger]

Ah, had not even thought about Exeter as an option. I could see that working for Marler.

[propdavid_london]

I hadnt realised that Marler was living that far away from the Twick/Guildford area!
It would be a shame to see him leave the stoop as hes been a big part of the good things that Quins have done over the last few seasons.
Props are one positioin that we seem to struggle to hang on to - but they do seem to command some of the highest salaries so have to go where the £ are or where they can be fitted into a salary cap if Prem club.

We seem to have a reasonable youngster in Daryl Marfo coming through and Lambert is solid if unspectacular.
We would definately need to recruit another LH (preferably not a project player).

Got good options in TH with Collier (when fit) and Sinkler as the up and coming.

Who would be a good target?

[ChequeredJersey]

Not sure if it's 3 hours each way or not but "124-mile round trip" to training at Quins apparently

[propdavid_london]

Yeah - thats a lengthy commute.
He needs to sort that out - either move closer or switch clubs.
But still - would be a big choice for him to make and he could do well for Chiefs.

Would be good seing him playing with that Luke Cowan Dickie chap. Future England hooker there, I'm sure.

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