Ironically for the final day of the regular season the fixture list has drawn the current top six clubs against the bottom six clubs.

Whilst the top six have all qualified for the Heineken Cup next season, there is still a lot to play for. It is clear  that Leicester will be this year’s regular season champions, mathematically Quins could still achieve that but, with Leicester taking on bottom placed Bristol that is unlikely. Places from 2 to 6 are still up for grabs as the season goes down to the wire, but  with Harlequins, London Irish and Bath all on 61 points it is likely that these three clubs will keep their  top four positions come the final whistle but in what order? Despite their five point win against Quins last week, Sale in sixth were docked a precious point mid week, whilst Gloucester in fifth place crashed against Worcester when they lost 6-13, a second loss in four days, with three games in one week . It is tight but there is no point in ruing the points dropped earlier in the year. That is history, we go into the match at Newcastle in a strong position with games won, points difference, knowing what we need to do, we control our destiny, but we still ultimately need four tries.    As the Guinness premiership site reports "A bonus point win against Newcastle Falcons will guarantee Harlequins a home semi-final. Two match points will ensure a place in the semi-final for the first time. Harlequins have not finished in the Top 4 of the league since 1998/99."  was it really ten years ago!

Harlequins fate is still in their own hands, just two points are need  to finish in the top four, so we just need to win or draw, and we will be in the play offs, however all supporters will have an eye on the proceedings  down at Sixways ( London Irish) and the Recreation Ground (Bath). To be fully sure of second place we need to score four tries against Newcastle. We have come so far this season it will be unthinkable to fall at the last hurdle, but it will not be the end of the world. The gloss on our finish to season has been diminished somewhat by the injuries to both our No. 10’s, but with a home match the team will be up for win, especially in the cauldron of a sellout Stoop. We all want to finish with a flourish

I have a dilemma, the same dilemma as many supporters find themselves; naturally I want Quins to finish second and get a home tie in the Play off s BUT I have never supported the end of season play offs. The Guinness Premiership Champions are the team that finishes at the top of the table after 22 matches – period, and looks like it will be Leicester again. What is the point of the play offs?  There never has been an adequate explanation for this other than revenue generation as it squeezes more money out if the supporters at the end of the season. So if we finish second and get a home tie, I will be there like everyone else, another chance to cheer on our most successful team for a long time if we get to the final, I ll be there too and if we win, I would still say the team that finishes top tomorrow evening will be Champions.

Newcastle will not be easy opponents. Their league position belies their recent renaissance and they still have something to play for as they could still steal seventh place and squeeze into the Heineken cup themselves.
Seventh place would qualify a club for Europe if Bourgoin go on to win the European Challenge Cup. The two teams met a few weeks ago up at Kingston Park, with a very disappointed Quins defeated 24-16 after throwing away a losing bonus point right at the end of the match. Instead of kicking the ball out to end the game, they tried to force themselves back downfield to get into a try scoring position, but were well and truly stung when a pass was intercepted and Newcastle streaked away for a try themselves. Quins will be out to redress the balance.

Of the other fixtures tomorrows, these are listed below. Looking at those matches on paper it looks safe to predict six home wins, but this has been a funny old season, the form book has not been reliable., The excitement has been high all season and the top six have been jockeying for positions all season, which each team spending time at the top of the table – clearly this has been because of the huge success of the ELV’s err no! Year on year the Premiership has become more competitive with very little between the teams. You get a good start and that is likely to see you through the low points of the season

Speaking earlier his week, Ugo the Lionheart spoke about his selection, “I have to put the Lions on the back burner, it would be so disappointing if we missed out given how hard we have worked for it this year. We are fully aware of the challenge we’ve got a tremendous record at home. The fans have been awesome and they are a big reason why we have been so successful so far.”  Like Martin Luther-King and Susan Boyle, we all “have a dream”

Whatever happens, this has been Harlequins best season in many years and we will all be back next season to watch continued improvement.

Come on you Quins!

Other fixtures:

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