As we progress to week six, top of the table Harlequins, head off to the City of Lady Godiva and of Jaguar & Peugeot cars, where they meet Coventry RFC at the recently opened Butts Park Arena. The kick off is at 15.00, Saturday October 8th.

So once again the team and supporters alike re acquaint themselves with the vagaries of the M1. Like the diesel engine of the team bus, last week's starting line up coughed and spluttered on its way to an eventual win. The debate, on our performance against Doncaster last week has, as expected, been intense. Richards stated in the match programme last week that "it is not the finished article". It clearly is not, but I believe that it is now down to some fine tuning to be made in order to get the well oiled machine running smoothly, maybe Richards will pick up some tips from the engine plant at the Peugeot car factory this weekend.

With the return of Ceri Jones this week I m sure we will see an improved performance from the pack. Yes there were some failings with the youngsters last weekend and these will be resolved, however what can't be changed is the mind set and the way the opposition play their game. They came with tactics to avoid a heavy defeat, but from my perspective Doncaster seemed set on taking out certain players, perhaps not on the spirit of the game. They were guilty of some cynical play with numerous high tackles and coming in from the wrong side of a ruck and a general disruptive behaviour. Greenwood appeared to be one of their key targets, and they sorely missed his guidance once he'd left the field injured,

There are positives to be taken from last week's match. A very good start with five points courtesy of Keogh on the board within 2 minutes, which had doubled to ten with Gavin Duffy's superb try as he dummied a number of defenders and outpaced them all in the race for the line. Despite leaking a soft try Quins heads didn't drop and workman like they began to press home advantage as the second half ticked on. Tosh Masson who had a good afternoon scored the try that brought the bonus points and Mike Brown's try at the end was a well worked move. Unfortunately, Jarvis had not bring his kicking boots or he was still wearing his night vision goggles, after so many great performances on a Monday night, as he kicked just one out of five conversion attempts. He had an off afternoon from the spot although his kicks from hand were very good. Those youngsters who played last week certainly learnt a lot form their experience, and Vos was Captain Fantastic yet again. Quins seemed to up their game once Vass came on. Despite what was an uninspiring match Quins did win the game, picked up a valuable bonus point, and went back to the top of the table. In conceding just seven points they also kept their strong defensive record. And as a bonus Bedford also beat Pirates, to open a little breathing space at the top. 

Coventry appear to be a club turmoil both on and off the pitch, at the moment. Their supporters appear to be very unhappy with the Chairman, Keith Fairbrother, and his plans for the club. Fairbrother took over in 1998 with the club on the verge of bankruptcy, just two years after the club nearly achieved Premiership status. He drew up plans to revitalise the club with a new stadium which was built on the site of their original ground. The Butts Park Arena was opened in September 2004 by Sir Clive Woodward. With an investment of £4 million pound the first phase is complete with plans for three more phases which will add to the local infrastructure of the City, The supporters feel there are political moves behind the scenes which has raised questions regarding the intentions of the chairman whom they mistrust and there is intense speculation about the possible sale of the club, release of players and a possible relocation to Oxford. It is believed that this uncertainty is having a negative effect on the pitch.

It is true that Coventry have not had a very good start to their season, with one win, at home to Otley, in five matches. Coventry narrowly lost by one point on the opening day of the season away against Sedgley Park, and two weeks ago were beaten 31-29 by Doncaster in a match that Coventry should have won. Last week against their local rivals, Pertemps Bees, they were badly stung, going down 29-7 in leafy Solihull, The Bees match report stated that Coventry "were a well beaten group of players" unkindly adding "to call them a team on the evidence of this game alone, would be descriptively criminal.", maybe this comment was brought on by the euphoria of a local derby win, although their reporter, who seems to be in need of a thong added "Quins came and had their nose blue-bloodied before skipping away with all the points."

Coventry took the lead in this match, and were ahead 7-3 at the break courtesy of a try scored from first phase ball by flanker Tom Johnson, and a conversion by newly recruited, Dave Harvey. He was playing at full back, in an attempt to shore up the back line and has been recruited for his goal kicking skills but it was reported that he had less than a satisfactory debut, and apparently did little to justify his transfer. He missed a penalty attempt on the half hour, but Coventry's resolve held and they defended well up to the break. Harvey's kicks to touch were poor and he put Coventry under strain as Bees collected the ball and ran straight back at them. The home side gradually took advantage and went on to run in four unanswered tries, after the Coventry defence eventually capitulated, in the final twenty minutes.

Coventry squandered their second half chances and their eventual heavy defeat, in what was an evenly matched game, highlights their problems. 

We seem to be playing against former Quins every week at the moment, however the aptly named Harvey, in his brief spell at the Stoop, was only seen once, wearing the quartered shirt, in a friendly against Natal Sharks back in February. It is expected Harvey will start at fly half this week.

Their loss last week saw Coventry slip to tenth position in the league with just eight points, but they are above Otley and Sedgley Park on goal difference. Doncaster who lost at Quins last weekend sit on the bottom.

At a pre match press conference team coach Mike Umaga and inside centre Donovan Sanders have said they were looking forward to the match, with Umaga asserting that for several members his team it will be "one of the biggest games they will ever play", and this will be a good "motivational factor for the boys" and will inspire confidence.

Umaga reported that he has the luxury of an almost fully fit side to choose from, with Hendry Rheeders and Richard Davies as the only possible casualties, Rheeders damaged his sternum in last week's defeat to Pertemps Bees and Davies is still fighting a hamstring injury, but both will face late fitness tests before Saturday, but look doubtful. The Coventry team have looked closely at key Quins players and have as a result adjusted the team's tactics. Their training regime this week has been decidedly more competitive between the Coventry players as the players want "to prove themselves" and that they will take the game to Harlequins.

There were some surprises in the team announced by Harlequins today, listed below, with nine changes to the starting line up from last week with a number of the "names" returning to a side that still boast three academy players. On reflection it probably is the strongest team we can field, with the current injury situation; however I'll have to nail my colours to the mast and would still pick Vass over So'oialo, although Vass does make an impact when he is brought on during the second half. It is very good to see Jones back and alongside Fuga and Nebbett we have a very strong front row. Also returning to the starting line up is Jim Evans. Both he and Miall should be able to steal a number of line outs from Coventry whose Hooker was very poor last weekend. As already pointed out Duffy is probably on the bench because he featured strongly last Saturday and also had a run out last Monday night, but is available if called upon. Masson alongside Deane provide the hammers to knock down the Coventry defence, and with the Amesbury and Keogh express down each wing, we certainly have a match winning team.

This is a match that Quins can and should win, but as with most away matches this season has the potential for being a banana skin, and for Coventry this is their biggest game for years. Coventry coach Umaga, believes a victory is "well within their capabilities", he is looking for a good unified Coventry performance, for the team and for the home supporters. Over a thousand tickets have been sold for this match, and they are expecting a crowd to equal the one that witnessed the opening of the stadium last year. A large contingent of Harlequins supporters will be present to cheer their team and witness another win on the road. Let's hope it reflects the performance of a Jaguar rather than that of a Peugeot!

Come on you Quins!

NEC Harlequins:
15. Mike Brown,14. Simon Keogh, 13. Tosh Masson, 12. Mel Deane, 11. Charlie Amesbury, 10. Andrew Mehrtens ,9. Steve So'oialo,1. Ceri Jones ,2. Tani Fuga,3. Ricky Nebbett, 4. Jim Evans,5. Simon Miall,6.Chris Robshaw 7. Andre Vos (c.),, 8. Nick Easter
Replacements : 16. Jimmy Richards, 17. Lorne Ward 18. Kevin Burke 19. Tom Guest 20. Ian Vass, 21. Adrian Jarvis 22. Gavin Duffy

Coventry:
15 R.Davies, 14. K.Johnson, 13. N.Witkowski, 12. D.Sanders, 11. J.Moore, 10. J.Higgins, 9.M. Walls, 1. K.Pulu, 2. R. Protherough, 3. P.Bucknall, 4. D.Campton, 5. B.Gulliver, 6. H.Venter, 7. G.Gravell, 8. H.Rheeders/D.Farani
Replacements: 16. R.Chrystie, 17. D.Harvey, 18. C.Richards, 19. T.Johnson, 20. D.Farani, 21. R.Siveter, 22. A.Gluth

Match Officials:

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS

• Think you know your sport? Click here to try the Sportnetwork Prize Quizzes