This of course is virgin territory for Harlequins, who have never reached this stage of the competition before but in doing so have already achieved one of this season’s goals. Leinster, however have been here before, six times. As we all know Harlequins, as the dark horses of their pool, arrived here in some style with two hard fought and very satisfying wins home and away against Stade Francais, they also achieved the double over Llanelli, and only lost once away at Ravenhill in conditions that were more appropriate to the rounding of Cape Horn rather than a game of rugby. The season has a few more weeks to run, but it has been the best season for Harlequins for many, many years. It started with Harlequins picking up their first piece of silver by winning the Middlesex Sevens in August, a week before the regular season began. Whilst there have been a few hiccoughs along the way It looks to be set fair to get even better as Quins play to finish in at least in the top four of two competitions. The team has gone from strength to strength this year and the squad has strength in depth and resilience to continue their charge despite injury or International call ups. Now at the business end of the season, Quins are still there with everything still to play for. One thing is for certain, there is no spectre of relegation this season.

By comparison, Leinster had a fairly lack lustre route to the quarter finals, with Edinburgh, Castres and Wasps in their pool. Leinster of course has the satisfaction of winning at Twickenham, but a winning at The Stoop is a different prospect all together

Both Quins and Leinster have had a similar preparation ahead of this weekend game, with respective away matches against fierce opposition in Bath and Munster, who are also playing quarter final matches this weekend.  Quins as underdogs produced a sublime performance against Bath grinding out an outstanding win at the Rec for the first time in a number of years.  In contrast Leinster succumbed in the second half to Munster, with a Contemponi having an off day with the boot; one comment suggests that whilst these missed kicks were not enough to make the difference between the teams it was enough to shape the game. Munster beat Leinster 22-5. Like Harlequins, Leinster has a number of International’s in their squad including Heaslip, D’Arcy and O’ Driscoll, who helped Ireland to their Grand Slam in a somewhat unconvincing style. I m certain that had England played with 15 men for 80  minutes they would have come away from Dublin  that day with a win.

The centre pairings could be key   and if Evans takes to the field as expected he will see off the threat of Contemponi, I m sure Tiesi’s knowledge of him will prove invaluable. Their squad also included the former Stoop’s favourite  Simon Keeeeeeeeeeoooooooooooooogh. Quins front five have been outstanding this season and will be able to handle the Leinster pack. Harlequins expect to have both Evans and Skinner back from injury and illness, and should be able to field their strongest possible squad. As such Quins will also be able provide a significant back up from the bench. Leinster are suffering from a number of injuries, but their talismanic Brian O’Driscoll, is expected to play for  the first time since the final six nations match in Cardiff. Harlequins have acknowledged that despite their tight defence, they need  to sharpen their attack. In their match against Worcester the ball was thrown around a lot as they progressed to toward the try line, but the passing needs to faster and more accurate against this week’s opposition. Leinster back line is the greatest threat Quins face. Interviewed earlier  this week, Dean Richards said “ We do need a bit more of a cutting edge in our play. When you see what Leinster have got to offer....  then we also need to reproduce the intensity of the defence we showed against Bath. We are a far more composed side this season.”

So to the result. Harlequins realise the significance of  the game on Sunday. There is a lot of confidence at Harlequins at the moment, confidence NOT complacency, although Richards has said “it is a great opportunity, but if not this year then it will come one day.” Harlequins have lost just once in their last ten games. They are also unbeaten at The Stoop in both Domestic and European competitions, since gifting a win to London Irish back in September, when they lost by just a single point. Sunday’s match on paper looks to be a cracker, and it will be good to watch a match against Irish opposition without a throbbing head from the thump of those rhythm less drummers. An expected sell out Stoop will also provide the sixteenth man, as Leinster returned a significant number of their ticket allocation. While Leinster appears to have been written off already, they will be turning up to play a match, not to make up the numbers. The team know that they are on the threshold of something good BUT they are only as good as their last game, but they keep rising to the challenge. The games get harder at this end of the season and if they want to extend their season into May in both the Guinness and Heineken competitions, winning is the only way to do it. Head and heart go for Quins this week.

Harlequins by 10 points

Come on You Quins!

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