As confirmed by the pool table, and as if we didn’t t already know Harlequins have already failed to qualify for the quarter finals of this competition, a position that was underlined in the mud of the Arms Park Cardiff last Friday night. The three other teams all still have a chance to finish top and proceed to the knock out stages. Harlequins have the ability to prevent Stade Francais from qualifying, however they will have to play there part in the game for longer than twenty minutes. The Parisiens will be fielding a very much depleted side and it is expected that Richards will pick the strongest side available. The French will be without, Drozdz, De Villiers,  Marconnet,  Ledesma, Milton,  Liebenberg, Taylor  and Jean Jean but they will still provide formidable opposition as they will be playing to remain in the competition and having witnessed Quins recent run at home and in Cup competitions must favour their chances. When this pool was announced this was a match that I was most looking forward to. Unfortunately that enthusiasm has waned following the results of recent weeks, however I shall still be at The Stoop on Sunday cheering the side on….   After all this is Quins! 

I have been helped this week by the information on the European Rugby Site which explains;

If Cardiff Blues draw or collect two bonus points in a defeat at Bristol; they're through as Pool winners. But if they lose, and Stade Français manage a bonus point win at Harlequins, they will top the group. There is a chance all three teams could finish on 17 points. If that happens, the Pool winner will be the side who has earned the most match points in games between the three teams. Stade cannot improve on their eight match points as they have played their relevant fixtures while the Blues have 10 and Bristol four, meaning the Cardiff Blues would go through. Harlequins cannot qualify. 

Current match points and tries scored:
Cardiff Blues - 16 points / 10 tries
Stade Français Paris - 13 points / 8 tries
Bristol Rugby - 12 points / 10 tries
Harlequins - 2 points / 6 tries 

Maximum points and wins attainable:
Cardiff Blues - 21 points / 4 wins (and a draw)
Stade Français Paris - 18 points / 4 wins
Bristol Rugby - 17 / 4 wins
Harlequins - 7 points / 1 win (and a draw)

Post Heineken Cup action Harlequins dive back into the Premiership next Friday away at Sale and will need to exit from this match with Pride, and with no injuries. The rest of the season starts next weekend and Quins HAVE to be ready to face it. Lets us hope that we witness a good match on Sunday afternoon.

Come on You Quins!

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• January 2008 at Harlequins

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