Harlequins
Preview: Worcester vs Harlequins
By Wyddy
September 17 2013
Dried out yet folks? Cats and Dogs fell at the Stoop last Friday night, as well as the stock of our much loved Kiwi import, Nick Evans, who suffered what can only be described as a bit of a ‘Weston’.
On a filthy night in TW2, Quins took on a strong looking Northampton line up. Physically the difference between the two teams was significant, Saints being much larger specimens on the whole. However when battle commenced it was very pleasing to see the level of commitment from Quins match up to the muscular challenge and smash Saints back in the collisions. However the difference in the end came down to a dismal return from both Evans and Botica with the boot and a series of naive plays from the back when under pressure from Saints.
In defeat Quins performed much better than they had in their previous outing which ended with a fortunate win over Wasps. However a morale raising win against Worcester at Sixways is vital to get the season off to a decent start and continue the momentum.
Worcester have had a poor start to the season, the hope and promise of Dean Ryans arrival met with a reality bump in their opener against Leicester. Worcester are rapidly becoming well known for their travel sickness on the road, they haven’t won away from home in over 19 months since they won with 2 Joe Carlisle penalties against Wasps. Leicester didn’t need to get out of 2nd gear to engineer a bonus point win against a limited Worcester. Mike Williams yellow card didn’t help them but the game was effectively over by halftime with the score 18-3 to the Tigers.
Ignacio Meires continues to control play from the fly half pivot, but is hampered by a lack of quality in a back division where only Josh Matavesi and Chris Pennell stand out. Worcester supporters are tired of the plucky plaudits levelled at them over the years and yearn for something substantial to cling to. However Ryans revolution will take time and it looks like being another year of staving off relegation for the Sixways faithful (which has been dropping like a stone, just under 7,000 attended the last home game).
Against Irish, many supporters thought they would record their first four-pointer of the season, however that hope disappeared in a closely contested game decided by two Marlon Yarde tries.
Mieres was again in the thick of things, after his cuddle with Dan Cole on opening day he was also the focus of attention with a clash with try scorer Yarde. Worcester made a good start with a frankly outrageous pass from the aforementioned Chris Pennell setting up a try for David Lemi. However they lacked the quality to push on and make Irish pay for some poor phase play, although Mieres did drag them back in front with a try of his own before Humphreys slotted a penalty four minutes from time.
Quins will head to Sixways on the back of a rare defeat for the A-League side against Bath on Monday. Some questions need to be answered after the defeat to Saints... Joe Marler will be near the top of that list. Whilst he has come back in fine shape, he looks bigger and leaner than last season, his irascibility has also been on show in the first two games. Conceding penalties in the early minutes of both games which Quins can ill afford. Against Saints the referee was focussing on his long bind, and after being blown twice for it, Joe continued with the tactic and was then blown again and accused of hinging by Andrew Small. I have no problem with preparing specific tactics for opposition but you have to play the ref, Marler doesn’t have the greatest of reputations so can expect a little more spotlight. If the officials aren’t happy you have to adapt accordingly, it was noticeable when Lambert came on the scrum became more stable and the referee took less interest on the loose head side.
Conor will persist with Nick Evans and play him back into form, of which there has been little in the last 6 months, the weather is unlikely to be as miserable two weeks in a row. Botica, whilst pushing Evans closer and closer, he didn’t do himself any favours when he came on against Saints. he was quickly involved in a passage of play where he stepped up to the defensive line (perhaps thinking he was playing 12) and left the opposition in no doubt we would be box kicking. It was consequently charged down and from that the ball went loose, was kicked into Boticas face and passed down the line where Saints scored on the outside. To add insult to injury, Stephen Myler converted from the most difficult of angles to make light of the weather.
The performance last week was significantly better, and as many a witty Quins fan has mentioned the handling was much improved even in that weather. The injury to unlucky Joe Gray should give a chance to Rob Buchanan a chance to impress at hooker, there is even an argument to boost the impressive Dave Ward. The engine room at second row whilst being shorn of the impressively verbose Kennedy and youngster Matthews, has functioned well. With George Robson providing an excellent example to young jolly green giant, Merrick.
The back row will probably remain unchanged, Mo, Robshaw and Easter the men in possession, Wallace and Guest the options from the bench. Interestingly when Guest came on, Easter moved to second row – although we are not exactly blessed for options in the lock division at the moment.
Danny Care will continue at scrum half, whilst Karl Dickson warms the bench. In the centres, Tom Casson had an excellent game last week, seemingly everywhere in defence including holding up a certain try when the Saints maul splintered and Quins pack had over committed. George Lowe will continue alongside him in the absence of a challenge from the out of form Matt Hopper. The back three thankfully pick themselves barring injury and Ugo, Williams and Brown will again take their places.
In particular Brown was back to his best last week, showing up Foden with all aspects of his game. He really is a handful when in form, his kicking game also seems to have developed, a number of occasions this season he has kicked whereas in prior seasons he would have barrelled in, head down. Very pleasing to see his continued development and his work with Mike Catt is obviously paying some dividends... lets hope he can trouble the score sheet soon as he has had a very quiet time by his standards in the last year.
Although Sixways is always a tough place to go, I think the upturn in performance levels and the desire to put their marker down will see Quins through comfortably against a Worcester side still trying to find their identity under Ryan.
Quins by 10.
COYQ!!!!!!!
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Looking forward to the trip up to sixways, and Im really hoping that we can put in the same sort of performance as the last trip to sixways
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:09:18:04:53:22 by quinshead.
There's a lot of ex-Quins there. Luckily for me, one has moved on.
A trip to the Three Pears Pub nearby for a steak and chips meal first I think though, it would be rude not to.
You give worthy mentions to Mike Brown and Tom Casson. I reckon Ugo (looking good against Wasps) and the 2 Tom's - Guest & Williams all have that little spark that can change the game.
The team are showing bags of hard work and commitment but suffer with poor accuracy and inability to penetrate. It's still early days though and improvements will come.
Enjoy the trip up to Worcs.
My son surprised me by saying he was going to the game as well! Independently, also with wuss mates!
Its a good ground and I do hope they pick up soon.
It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so. “ – Mark Twain
Interesting write up, and looking forward to the game. You will be pleased to hear that the weather forecast is fine.
Interesting also to see that Mr Barnes has been given the whistle, the game is live on BT Sport, and in the light of the new ref. audit system which has shown that yet again Wuss have been relatively hard done by!!
It's our own fault, we are not streetwise enough by a very long chalk, and consistently fail to play to Sir's requirements.
Hopefully one day we will learn, as for tomorrow, I'll be pleased and surprised with a LPB.
But you never know on a Friday night...........
Quins have the talent to win, but it's a big game for both clubs. I am getting quite tense just thinking about tonight! :0 