EPS me off


By Ed Scott
October 27 2010

Optimism seems to be the key word this week, and so it should be, we have hit the ropes a couple of times already this season, but we are certainly not down or out. The fear was that we would get steamrolled last weekend at Welford Road and leave with, not only zero points, but another dent in our confidence. Although we came back with just the one point, it was clearly an improved performance in conditions that supposedly do not suit our style of play.

This week, Harlequins at The Stoop (I refuse to call it the Twickenham Stoop!). By far, my favourite away match of the season. I am slightly clouded in my judgement however, as it takes me approximately 15 minutes to get there from my house! Worry not, the season ticket I hold is a blue, black & white one, and always will be.
  
My Nephew (on my wife's side, so a London lad) told me last weekend that he thinks he's going to be a Harlequins fan (I took him to the Wasps v Quins game at Twickers last Christmas). "Things could be worse" I told him, "you might have chosen Wasps!" Quins are of course the only Premiership club that actually play their rugby in the capital (ish). They get good attendance levels and have fantastic facilities. Clearly their announcer (is he the most irritating man employed by a rugby club?!) should not be allowed within 100 yards of a microphone and PA system, but it's a great set up there.
 
Their rugby has been much like ours in many ways this season, good at times, poor at others. They probably deserved to beat Northampton, drew with Wasps, convincingly beat Newcastle and the dogged Exeter, and lost very close games to Sale and Glaws away. They have a dynamic pack and some fast young physical backs who like to run the ball.
 
The genius at Quins is Nick Evans. He often seems to miss the headlines, but is surely one of the the most complete fly-halves in the Premiership. He runs, kicks and distributes beautifully. I'm no expert on the All Blacks, but I'm pretty sure he'd be challenging for their World Cup squad if he were home in New Zealand still (cue a response from Bod!). The only question mark could be over his tackling, but I he is not known as a weak link in defence like a Ryan Lamb or Danny Cipriani.
 
I believe that this is going to be a closely contested game, but that the result will be determined by who copes best with the loss of their EPS players. Quins will be losing Easter and Care who are vital to the way in which they play their Rugby. I am a critic of Easter at International level, but for club he seems to be a rallying point and holds their tight game together, much like Dean Richards used to when he played. Care brings pace to their game and a running threat from the breakdown which I think they will miss considerably.
  
The good news for us is that Moody has been released to play this week. Banahan sadly has not. With Flutey out, Hape is almost nailed on to start at 12 for England, so Ben Williams will get his well deserved start at 13, let's hope his hamstring is sorted now. Davey Wilson's absence could be a key factor. Belly looks fit, but is just not designed for 80 minutes of rugby anymore. With Aaron Jarvis out we look very light at tighthead. Hopefully the losses will balance each other out as it's not on for teams to suffer during the Autumn Internationals just because they supply England with more players. They get compensated, yes, but not that much. It just doesn't encourage teams to take on English players.
 
This could be a great display of running rugby on what always seems to be a nice wide pitch. Our centres will need to be ready for some direct running from the physical Jordan Turner-Hall and George Lowe. Quins will prepare for the speed of our back three, as well as Luke Watson, who I feel may just be settling down into balancing performance with his leadership skills. Personally I would go for Moody at 6, Watson 7 and Taylor 8, to combat the dynamism of Skinner, Robshaw and Guest.
 
"Come all without, come all within, you ain't seen nothing like the Mighty Bath!" - OK it doesn't rhyme, but has a great ring to it if you ask me.

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