As AlanQuin wrote “A well-earned but nail-biting win started off Harlequin’s season as they defeated Saracens in the London Double Header at Twickenham by 21 points to 24. Only the most determined of defence over the last seven minutes as Saracens looked for the match-winning try, saw Quins home as the clock ran down with agonising slowness”  same old Quins!. As we know the win was gained a high price, with the premature exit of Nick Evans which we now know was due to ligament injuries to the new Quins star Nick Evans, an injury that will see him off the field for a number of weeks. His replacement Fijian Waisea Luveniyali proved that he was no slouch with the boot. At the time Dean Richards said “We hope it is nothing serious, it would not appear to be anything of a career-threatening nature but we will have to wait and see. Nick will probably not be available this weekend, which is disappointing because he certainly acquitted himself very well in the win over Saracens.'  That incident aside the Quins team showed that they have all points to prove, over their dropping from the England Elite and Saxon squads, there is also strong competition for a first team pace at Quins. George Robson revealed this week that Quins' aim was to make their defence as potent an attacking force as Wasps, but maybe not on their showing last Saturday against Irish. He added "we are enjoying a style of rugby where we can throw the ball around more but Dean has emphasised we can get the same buzz our of our defence"

Last week showed that there was still work in progress but also showed Quin’s have come out determined to do better this year. This was exemplified when David Strettle took just 53 seconds to get on the score sheet to make his mark on the new season.

Debutant fly-half Nick Evans kicked 11 points and Strettle's fellow winger Ugo Monye sauntered over for a sublime second-half try as Quins held off a determined effort from Saracens, following a brilliant pass from Danny Care

The statistics show that Harlequins beat Saracens 24-21 in their season opener at Twickenham last Saturday, but were defeated in their last Guinness Premiership match at the Stoop going down 16-23 to Sale back in May.

Bristol Rugby lost 20-33 at home to their local rivals Bath last Sunday afternoon, which was a seventh successive Premiership defeat for them. Bristol’s last away victory was back in March 2008 when they beat 28-8 at Newcastle

Harlequins have won their last three Premiership matches against Bristol; however the multi-coloured ones lost both matches in the Heineken Cup last season. Bristol’s record at the Stoop is not very good. Their only win at the Stoop in the Premiership since December 1997 was some seven years ago on 8 September 2001. Bristol will believe that the "local knowledge" of their ex Quin Jarvis will help them but he will have to face his nemesis of those Goal posts in front of the North Stand… he never appeared to be as successful when kicking in that direction.

Bristol have been already labeled as potential candidates for relegation., but they are not to be underestimated with their potent player Lemi, who showed last week at the Memorial Ground  has the ability to cut through defences on his way  to the try line, stunning the opposition supporters. He will be endeavouring to repeat that feat again this week as he did on his last Premiership appearance at the Stoop. 

After their match against Bath Richard Hill said “..a home defeat wasn’t the start to the season that we would have wanted but Bath are a good side. All our players tried as hard as they could and you can't fault them at all. They played to the best of their ability and gave everything which is all you can ask”. These are not a very positive comments, although it is perhaps the truth. This compares with the Bristol Supporters match report give some indication of what we will face at the Stoop on Saturday and where can capitalise 

“Disappointing though a defeat by our neighbours is, I must admit to being encouraged by aspects of Bristol's performance.  The displays of angst on the message board do not seem entirely justified.  Bath actually played rather well.  We did, it is true, struggle in some facets of the game.  The lineout, whilst not as flaky as last season did have a few problems.  Linklater's throwing was, from the two line outs I could see accurately, absolutely dead straight down the middle.  Perhaps this is the problem?  The new issue in the scrum is more worrying and caused our half-backs a number of problems.  Our defensive organisation left much to be desired, particularly in the first half.  The unfamiliar centre pairing surely had much to do with this ….  Other positives include our first try which I am certain we would have butchered last season (and it was nice to see Blowers being permitted to touch the ball down in such circumstances), the performance of Jarvis despite the quality of ball he received and of course David Lemi". Bath went in search of a bonus point try for a perfect start to their Premiership campaign but Bristol defended stoutly in the closing minutes.

Head and heart goes for a home win for Quins. Despite the absence of Evans, an improved performance on last week and provided we can contain Lemi, Quins should come away with five points, to really ignite their Premiership push. 

Teams just announced:

Harlequins:
Ceri Jones, Tani Fuga,  Mike Ross,  Ollie Kohn,  George Robson,  Chris Robshaw, Skinner (Captain), Nick Easter, Dany Care,  Waisea Luveniyali, Ugo Monye, Jordan Turner- Hall, Gonzalo Tiesi, David Strettle, Mike Brown
Replacements: Gary Botha, John Brooks, Jim Evans, Tom Guest, Andy Gomarsall, Tom Williams, Epi Taione

Bristol Rugby:
Luke Arscott; Tom Arscott, Neil Brew, Kevin Maggs, David Lemi; Adrian Jarvis, Haydn Thomas; Mark Irish, Scott Linklater, Jason Hobson; Mariano Sambucetti, Robert Sidoli; Nathan Budgett, Joe El Abd (capt), Andrew Blowers
Replacements: David Blaney, Peter Bracken, Dan Ward-Smith, Alfie To'oala, Graeme Beveridge, Ed Barnes, Greg Barden

Come on You Quins!

The other Premiership matches this weekend are  

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