Last weekend another commanding performance from Luke Wallace helped Harlequins despatch Gloucester with some ease, although as well as harlequins played it should be acknowledged that Gloucester were pretty woeful. Of the three games so far this season only the London Irish forwards have really tested the Quins pack, and on paper at least the Worcester eight look very capable of achieving this. While they may have found the going tough so far at this higher level, last season's Championship winners already have their backs to the wall lying at the foot of the table just above Newcastle. After an opening fixture win against Sale, was to have played to away games since and have lost both. They will doubtless be relishing playing at home again in front of their vocal and committed supporters, and Richard Hill and his fellow coaches will want a huge performance from their pack if they are to get anything out of this game.
Harlequins should know exactly what to expect and their own pack will need to be on top of their game. Worcester's set piece, although a bit hit and miss times, has mostly been good this season but they have suffered from a few too many turnovers and have given away more penalties than they would hope. However, despite having a big strong pack, Worcester certainly haven't been attempting to play a 10 man game. There is a lot of pace in their backline and they have been endeavouring to make the most of it; with a bit more cohesion and accuracy they would have had a lot more to show for it. Oftentimes it is simply a case of playing more games together and gaining more experience in order to reduce the unforced errors, and it is usually while playing at home that these errors are less evident.
On current form it is difficult to see past a victory for Harlequins but Worcester certainly have it within them to make this a close game. Sixways has been a happy hunting ground for Harlequins in the past and this ground holds no fears for them. This potentially could be quite an exciting game and perhaps the side with the tightest defence will win. Having said that I can't help feeling that yet again Karl Dickson and Nick Evans will prove to be a vital difference at halfback and Quins will win a close game on the scoreboard.
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