Harlequins
Preview: Harlequins v Toulouse
By Worried of Whitton
October 16 2009
Harlequins kick off their second round Heineken Cup match against Toulouse on Saturday October 17th at 18.00 pm at The Stoop. For the third week running Harlequins are live on Sky TV, and this is an eagerly awaited match for the team and supporters alike.
Last week, away at Cardiff, was yet another repeat of Quins season so far, so near yet so very far away from where we want to be. Unable to put away opportunities and once more being on the wrong end of some questionable decisions from Irish referee Alan Lewis. Quins eventual loss with a score line of 20-6 overly flattered Cardiff who took the match with two easily preventable tries, and does not reflect the fact that Quins laid siege and set up camp in the Cardiff 22 for over a third of the second half whilst the score remained t 13-6 and a draw would have been more than a deserved result.. Strong defence kept Quins out, and we were left with thoughts of what might have been and had Care, Easter and Monye been playing that was winnable match, certainly Easter or Care would have crossed the line. Certainly questions were raised regarding their non selection due to the provisions of the England Elite player squad agreements, and the fact that Heineken Cup rules demand team’s field the strongest side at all times. Then again in the other pool match at Toulouse, Sale fielded a very second string side, that were thumped 36-17 by their hosts. Two late Sale tries provided some respectability as Toulouse had effectively “declared’ after chalking up their fourth try and bonus points just six minutes into the second half in front of a home crowd of 30,000.
Once more Harlequins are faced with a must win game at home in order to stay in the competition, and to ensure that the hundreds of travelling supporters have a weekend in Toulouse to look forward to in January. With Sale at home to an even more depleted Cardiff this evening, in the other pool match, two home wins in Pool 5 this weekend will redress the balance and it will be back all square. Of course there are many comparisons with the French double Quoins achieved against Stade Francais in last year’s competition. Fly-half Nick Evans is looking forward to attempting to repeat last season's heroics against another of the glamour clubs of French rugby "Our group in this Heineken Cup is an interesting and exciting one. How good would it be to beat Toulouse home and away - that is the challenge we've got. The Heineken Cup last season was awesome - I enjoyed every minute. It was more than I thought it was going to be and, although I didn't really know what to expect, I knew it was going to be hard rugby” he added “We all want to play in the Heineken Cup. It's the pinnacle of playing for your club. We want to go one step better and get into a semi-final - and possibly the final - this year." However in order to do so Quins have to up their game, dominate the opposition and keep possession instead of the ritual kicking the ball away and back to the opposition.
Toulouse winger Vincent Clerk gave notice earlier this week that he intense to increase his Heineken cup try tally this weekend. He scored two in last week’s victory against Sale taking his total tally to 30 tries. Clerc was reported as saying “in the seven years in the Heineken cup I have never played against Harlequins but I expect the game to be tough, as “it is a key game for them because they lost to Cardiff Blues last week and cannot afford to make mistakes, if they lose again they will be practically out of the competition this year so it is do or die. In Addition after all that happened last summer they will be keen to show their worth on the field in front of their home crowd. Harlequins will be out to prove a point and will be dangerous. It will be down to us (Toulouse), to do what it needs be done and rise to the challenge. By winning our opening game we won ourselves a lifeline in the tournament.” In response Quins captain Will Skinner said earlier this week “we have got to be more clinical, we know it will be tough but we will be up for It., as you have to win your home games.”
We have seen in the past that many French teams do not travel, Toulouse have had an off season in the domestic league so fat, but with a glittering array of stars in their squad including Clerc, Ellisade, Jauzion, Heymans, Dustautoir and Picamoles it is hard to believe that they will slip up. Will Greenwood believes that Quins brittle confidence will be put to the ultimate test this weekend. If their heads drop the game could get away from them and Skinner’s leadership will be crucial. Quins need to do the basics well and alert decision making will be required if Quins are to get anything out of this game. Heineken Cup ambassador, and ex Quin, Will Greenwood believes that if Quins can get through this test they just may see a glimmer of light in turning their season around. Quins will need the cunning and guile that they employed against Stade Francais last December, to grind out those famous wins.
Here s looking forward to a faultless Quins display, and a fine home win otherwise it will be back to my GP on Monday morning to increase the dosage of my anti depressant tablets!
Come on You Quins!
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