By KevT
November 15 2002

NEC Harlequins take on the London (editors: “surely Wycombe???”) Wasps on Sunday at the Stoop Memorial Ground (kick off 3.00pm)in a near sell out game. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Both teams had an unsatisfactory ending to their games last Sunday with Quins conceding a last minute try to Saracens which saw them go down by 36 – 30. Wasps were 27 –6 up against Leeds Tykes and saw Leeds draw the match 27 – 27 after Wasps conceded 21 unanswered points.

Harlequins make three changes to the starting XV that played Saracens last weekend. Paul Burke has recovered from hamstring and knee injuries and he replaces David Slemen. Centre Bill Satala is on international duty with Fiji and Rob Jewell partners Nick Greenstock in the centre. Keith Wood has had a slight reaction to his neck injury and Tani Fuga replaces Woody.

Quins’ forward coach John Kingston was very disappointed with the first half performance against Saracens. “The first half was nothing short of pitiful, very disappointing. To be honest I didn’t think we played all that well in the second half. Fair play to the players, for their reaction in the second half as at least they played better. Unfortunately we lost the game in the first fourteen minutes.”

I asked John about Wasps. “They are a good side and they have been less effected by international call ups than other teams. They have only lost Dallaglio who may even play on Sunday depending on what happens with England. We have lost Jason (Leonard), Will (Greenwood) and Satala.”

“We are hoping to keep our good run at home going and move further up the table. Big respect to Wasps, but we know how they play and we think we know where we can beat them.”

Wasps make two changes to the team that drew with Leeds Tykes. Joe Beardshaw replaces Simon Shaw who has a pinched nerve in his leg. Darren Malloy takes the place of Will Green who will miss Sunday's game due to a rib injury. These are crucial changes which may give Quins an advantage in the tight.

Neither Quins nor Wasps will be happy with their performances last weekend. Quins failed to play any rugby for the second time in two weeks and were punished this time. In his quote on the Official Quins site, head coach Mark Evans said "Last Sunday's first half performance was very disappointing, and although we came back into the game you can't afford to give any Premiership team a 23 point start."
Quins have missed Paul Burke at Fly Half for both his kicking from hand and his place kicking. It just gives the team that much more belief to have a fly half with a bit of confidence in his own game.

It will be interesting to see Rob Jewell make his first league start of the season. He will be playing centre and it’s been a while since he has played there. Will this make a big difference? Well a lot of supporters think that Bill Satala hasn’t delivered the performances that his billing had suggested. I will be keen to see the selection at centre when Will Greenwood returns from International duty and Chris Bell is back from injury.

Wasps have a pretty mobile hooker in Phil Greening. Craig Dowd is a strong and effective scrummager. Simon Shaw has been playing very well at second row and his absence is a blow for Wasps. Quins appear to have the edge in the back row with Wasps missing Dallaglio (we think) and Joe Worsley.

Wasps have, in your reporter’s opinion, the best scrum half in the British Isles in Rob Howley and this should provide the second test in a row for Nick Duncombe following his match up against Kieron Bracken last week.. Alex King at Fly Half is also very effective.

Wasps centres are a bit of an unknown package whilst Quins should have the edge in speed on the wings over Roiser and Logan. Josh Lewsey could be the most underrated Full Back in the Premier League. He has a very big boot and is a quick and strong runner.

If Wasps try to spin the ball wide too quickly then the pacey Quins back row may isolate their runners. Wasps also have a habit of kicking the ball away and with Burke back and Nathan Williams pinning the opposition back with his kicking I can see this playing into Quins hands. I’m looking foward to (depending on the weather) a fast flowing end to end game. I think Quins edge in the back row and out wide will give them the win.

NEC Harlequins 15. Nathan Williams ; 14. Matt Moore; 13. Rob Jewell 12. Nick Greenstock; 11. Ben Gollings; 10. Paul Burke; 9. Nick Duncombe 1. Bruce Starr 2. Tani Fuga 3. Laurent Gomez 4. Bill Davison 5. Alex Codling 6. Ace Tiatia 7. Andre Vos (Capt.) 8. Tony Diprose

Wycombe Wasps 15. Josh Lewsey 14. Shane Roiser, 13. Stuart Abbott, 12. Ayoola Erinle, 11. Kenny Logan, 10. Alex King, 9. Rob Howley (Capt.), 1.Darren Malloy, 2. Phil Greening, 3.Graham Dowd, 4. Joe Beardshaw, 5. Richard Birkett, 6. Mark Lock, 7. Paul Volley, 8. Peter Scrivener,

Replacements: 16. Ali McKenzie, 17. Trevor Leota, 18. Mike McCarthy 19. John Hart / Lawrence Dallaglio 20. Martyn Wood 21. Mark Van Gisbergen 22. Fraser Waters