It was certainly mission accomplished with back to back 14 points to 9 point victories over Gloucester and London Irish. These were two vital wins that have resurrected Quin’s march on the top of the Premiership, after falling behind before Christmas. Quins are now in the group of six that have begun to break away from the rest of the pack. Whilst it can be folly to contemplate and predict the results this week, it is mathematically possible for Quins to jump up to third position on Sunday afternoon, with the three teams below them all tied on 43 points. Quins fifth position is by virtue of just a single point difference to Leicester.

Quins have to target their match this weekend as bonus point win. Bristol away is always a difficult match, but Bristol have sat at the bottom of the Premiership all season, with just one win to their credit. It is very sad to see an historic club like, Bristol nine points adrift at the bottom, and Worcester, one place above them, also have a game in hand but it appears that Richard Hill was resigned to Bristol’s fate before the season even kicked off, and they have just not produced the results despite having some talented players in their squad. Harlequins will not be playing a demoralised Bristol as they will be looking to cause an upset. Quins need to focus and target on a four try victory, to take their points tally up to 44, and maintain the pressure on the clubs above them. We should not forget that we have a couple of crucial top of the table tussles between now and the end of the season with an away trip to Bath and also home and away fixtures against a feisty Sale.

On the London Irish board they have been plotting their run in to the end of the season with most predicting a sixth position for Quins, and certainly ahead of Irish. As a Harlequin I would dispute that as they have not credited us with many five pointers, but we have the resource and ability to chalk up a number of winning bonus points over the next few weeks, and need to target this weekend match, together with the Home game against a demoralised Safacens, Worcester and the home and away matches against Newcastle.

Bristol are having a torrid time at the moment, not withstanding their basement position with home and away matches against Wasps and Leicester to come. Bristol Coach Paul Hull said earlier this week "It's not a case of us being mathematically down – there's still a slim chance there and we are going to take everything we can. We are going to try to get off the bottom – it might take us until the end of the season to do that, but we will keep fighting on”.

It seems clear that the club will be releasing a number of players at the end of the season, and rumours suggest that France may beckon for some of them. Mark Regan has also announced his retirement....  and just what is the position regarding of their Head Coach- are Bristol literally and metaphorically “over the Hill?”. The club announced this week that Paul Hull will remain on charge of the first team for the second week running.  Hull steered Bristol to a good start at Sale last weekend end taking a six point lead, but succumbed during the second half and lost 32-13. Hull said this week that he has no idea when or if Richard Hill will return. Hill is apparently in talks with the club over his future and the Bristol Evening Post expects and early departure. Such prolonged uncertainty cannot be good for the club. Hill has also been linked with a move to France, and Hull is being lined up as his replacement, however it is unlikely that he has the time to turn Bristol’s fortunes around.

In contrast these are halcyon days for Harlequins and their prospects are looking good, with the Heineken quarter final to look forward to and the continued improvement in their league position after three wins, Quins still need  to knuckle down and go out for a good win this weekend. Despite the changes that Richards had to make in the second half against Gloucester, last weekend the team pulled through and produced a well earned victory against the club on top of the league. Richards was not going to let a crucial home victory slip through is hands without using all the resources he had available. “You simply have to win your home games to stand any chance of qualifying for the end of season play offs”

With Care and Easter with the England squad in Dublin his week, and barring any injuries it is expected that Richards will name a similar starting XV to last weekend. If Quins continue to play in the same vain they should come away from Bristol as winner, and improve they points difference over Leicester. We look set for a very interesting, exciting and roller coaster final third of the season.    Bring it on!

Come on You Quins!-

FIVE POINTS NEEDED ON SUNDAY

 Other fixtures this weekend include;

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