Last season’s win was one of a number of “memorable matches the two sides have played in recent years and probably the only one Quins would care to remember. Back in 2005, the 22-23  loss to Sale sent Quins down to year of Division One rugby which was in hindsight probably he best thing that could have happened to the club as it marked the start of the renaissance of the team that we have enjoyed watching play these past few months. The win last season was also revenge for the 0-45 beating we had from Sale in 2004. The two sides met earlier this year at Edgeley Park, where they came away with a losing bonus point after going down 20-13. Since that match they have not looked back as this has been their best season in recent years culminating in a second place just a few weeks ago.

It remains very tight at the top of the Guinness Premiership with seven teams still in with a chance of making the semi finals and eight teams battling for the six Heineken Cup places next season.

Harlequins are currently in fourth place with two games to go and the Premiership table looks like this. Quins face the teams currently in fifth and sixth places in their final two games, and all three teams need to win both matches to be certain of a top four/ play off position. Quins are likely to have at least a top six finish but will want to finish higher, I think fourth will be the most realistic we can expect, but with two wins and if other results “go our way” who knows!

Harlequins long run of success came to an abrupt end with a 6-13 defeat at London Irish two weeks ago and that still hurts, although we deserved the bonus point. Quins go into this match on the back of  four home wins at  The Stoop. Whilst Sale Sharks have won four of their last five games in the Guinness Premiership, they have lost three of their last four away matches in all competitions, and so this match is finely poised, and is billed as yet another defining game of the season.

Sale are expected to field a much stronger side than the one that went down last week in the ECC semi final against Bath. Sale Director of Rugby Philippe Saint Andre has announced that Sebastian Chabal and Jason White will both return for Sale this weekend.  Despite not playing last weekend Quins will have benefitted for the greater preparation time to get over the loss in Reading.

I predict a tight and hard fought match, Quins at home in recent weeks have shown some sublime play, it will be a fitting end to their home matches this season to go out in style. We really need a bonus win and the team will fight hard for it, and to deny Sale a losing bonus point. Whatever the result on Sunday, the atmosphere is bound to be electric. 

Come on you Quins!!

You’ve not seen nothing like the

Mighty Quins!

Other games this weekend are:

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