By Worried of Whitton
October 15 2004

Round 7 of the Zurich sees NEC Harlequins play host to the Leicester Tigers kick off at 15.00 hrs Leicester arrive in London for this top v bottom clash on the back of a very hard, old fashioned dog fight, slugging it out with Bath, to share the spoils. To their cost, Leicester back row Martin Corry and hooker George Chuter were cited after that match for alleged foul play during the 16-16 draw. Chuter, has only just been cleared of striking an opponent during Leicester's match against Northampton Saints two weeks ago. Whether this will affect their game remains to be seen After such a match it is doubtful whether the battered and bruised Leicester contingent at this weeks England squad training were actual able to contribute to any physical action, let alone move!

Harlequins also battled well, down at Kingsholm, and their much improved performance managed to silence the shed during the first half. Although Quins, clocked up their sixth successive premiership defeat this season they manage to collect another valuable losing bonus point. Harlequins can take much solace from this match, and as long as they keep plugging away, and build on last weeks performance the results will come. Noticeably, post match Mark Evans was more buoyant than of late saying, “we will come through it and be better people for it…...I don’t know when but we will”.

Leicester have already under gone their reformation. Dean Richards departed earlier this year and in recent weeks have almost looked unstoppable. They currently head the Zurich Premiership, having only lost one game at Sale. The Leicester legend appears to have been reborn, since their dark days towards the end of last year. With seven men, all forwards, at the World Cup, it can be doubly argued that they were missed in their absence and on their return, were so exhausted that they were unable to play at their best. Today, stalwarts, Johnson and Back are now giving Leicester their full and undivided attention. They are fresh and eager to win in what is likely to be their last season playing in the premiership. Despite his citing Martin Corry too appears to be back to his best.

Perhaps the greatest improvement at Leicester has been with their pack. At prop, Julian White is playing at his destructive best, and has transformed the Leicester scrum into an influential weapon of attack rather than one of containment, and Quins must tame this Tiger pack. Stuart Barnes discussed their tactics in his Telegraph article on Monday. Two weeks ago Leicester squeezed the Newcastle pack in a legitimate manner and when they had driven them back close to the try line, their front row broke up and a penalty try was given. Bath it is claimed, were more cynical, in the scrum with Bell’s head popping up within seconds of engagement. Not once was the Tigers scrum able to claim a probable score, as Bath broke up too far from the line. Much to Leicester’s chagrin there were no yellow cards awarded either. As Barnes says, “many of our best referees are under the misguided impression that keeping 15 players on the field is fair on the crowds that pay good money to see an even contest”. Quins need to be prepared for this pack and it will be a key area for them to control on Saturday . It will be interesting to see Ceri Jones getting to grips with White. In their preview the Leicester reporter has underestimated the power of Jones, who is an excellent scrummager with a go get ‘em attitude. We are all please to see that Ceri is partnered by Maurice Fitzgerald, who is getting his first full game in a quartered shirt. Hopefully the two of them will bring some stability

The return of Pat Howard to Welford Road, has certainly brought direction and thrust to their back line. Leicester also seem to resolved their issue of replacements for Tim Stimpson, with an aptly named,19 year old, Ross Broadfoot who even outshone Jonny Wilkinson in their match against Newcastle two weeks ago. This week however it is Andy Goode that puts on the fly half shirt this week, after making a remarkably rapid recovery from a recent knee injury. Goode has been much more consistent since his return than he was in his brief spell at Saracens. John Wells has made four other changes from the side that drew with Bath last Saturday. At scrum half, Leicester have played the” Worcester gambit” of promoting any ex Quins Scrum Half in your squad, to the starting line up. Scott Bemand starts ahead of Harry Ellis who sneaked a late try against Bath to level the game. I've no doubt that we will need to very wary of Mr. Bemand, who will certainly try to show that we should not have released him. He did have a couple of good games at the end of last season and played very well in the Parker Pen Final. Other changes include Austin Healey on the right wing having finally recovered from a hair string injury. Healey who faces up to Simon Keogh, replaces Sam Vesty, with Geordan Murphy reverting to full-back. Prop Graham Rowntree and scrum-half Harry Ellis drop to the bench. Will Johnson takes over in the back row from Brett Deacon who is included in a list of nine from which the bench will be chosen. Also on the bench is Lewis Moody, is also on the bench as he has now proved his fitness after a long-term injury in two games for the “A” XV.

Harlequins have announced two changes to the team they fielded last week at Gloucester. Ugo Monye who is injured with a calf strain is replaced on the wing by Simon Keogh. Keogh faces Healey and this will prove to be an exciting afternoon’s entertainment as he works to shake off his marker. Keogh I think will have greater pace, and it works in our favour as Healey appeared to get the better of Monye when they last met at the Stoop. I’ m sure Keogh fully appreciates the challenge!

Saturday will see the home debut of our temporary scrum half Matt Henjak. For those of you who have not seen him play re in for a treat. I saw him in the ” A “ match against London Irish, ten days ago and was suitably impressed by his quick pair of hands; he manages the forwards well and loiters with intent at the opposition put in at the set scrum. Matt Henjak will be more than capable of coping with Bemand.

In addition this will also be the home debut for Nick Easter the flanker from Orrell. He certainly came through his baptism of fire last week down at Kingsholm. We also get to witness the exciting partnership of Dafydd James, and Will Greenwood at Centre, with the hope that they will actual get their delivery of quality ball. The Quins back line is awesome, the problem being who do you leave out? This week injury has helped in the selection. It has all the attributes and potential for scoring many tries, but the forwards must work hard and prise open the opposition defence.

Ace Tiatia makes a welcome return to the bench and it will be interesting to see him renew his acquaintance with Mike Johnson should he come on. Mark Lambert is also on the bench, making way for Fitz Gerald. Lambert had a cracking debut last week. As Mark Evans remarked” He’s going to be one hell of a player”. Andy Reay also makes a welcome return to the bench

Less than twelve months ago Leicester were struggling, yet they have managed to turn it around. In the Telegraph, last week Mick Cleary wrote about the Leicester fans, “they have the biggest support base in the country. That level of backing means that failure is not an option. The fans stayed loyal through the tough time, though they let there feelings be known. What might have been a burden for Leicester became a stimulus”. The same can be said for Quins, whose fans who have also been vocal of late. Last week Mark Evans defended his dual role of coach and chief executive after being criticised by ZZB of all people. Evans said “I m doing what I m doing and if at any stage I think it is wrong then I ‘ll change”. Whether that “change” is now in process is not known and if so it is unlikely to be publicised However a story did surface on the Tuesday suggesting that Nick Mallet had been courted with regards a temporary coaching role at the Stoop, but had turned it down. What is clear was the search for a new lock and therefore it came as no surprise when mid week Mark Evans announced the signing of All Blacks Lock, Simon Maling, until the end of the season. This is a more tangible sign of change.

Another loss this Saturday would see Harlequins equal their worst ever Premiership run between September-December 2000 and between November 2001-February 2002. It is beginning to get lonely at the foot of the table as daylight is now beginning to appear between us and the 11th placed club. Leicester have won the last four, including a narrow 23-20 victory on their only visit to the Stoop last season. Out of 17 previous meetings Quins have only won twice.

Whilst the history of the results between to two clubs, gives Harlequins no favours, a Quins v Leicester match is always a spectacle with the out come never assured until the final whistle. As Scotty spoke this week; “on any given day, any team in the league can beat any other, home or away. “it is all about the performance on the day. Of course we can be sure that Quins will be giving it their all for 80 minutes and with a full Stoop behind them, roaring them on, the atmosphere will be electric, so let’s raise the roof this week.
Come on you Quins!

Bonus match: After the main event the Harlequins Ladies take to the hallowed turf to face Romford Ravens in a friendly match at the Stoop. Kick off is expected to be at 17.00 hrs.

This match comes on the back of a gritty and determined performance by the Ladies last week end who ground out a 7-5 win away at Wimbledon. The Ladies recently beat Romford 27-0 in a league match, after a good all round performance with tries from Kate Sinfield, Amy Wellington and a brace from Jane Wilson.

Players to Watch: Matt Henjak, Maurice Fitz Gerald and Simon Keogh

Prediction: Another hard fought match with Quins snatching a win, a bonus point for Leicester.

NEC Harlequins:
15. Gavin Duffy, 14. George Harder, 13. Will Greenwood 12. Daffyd James, 11. Simon Keogh, 10. Jeremy Staunton, 9. Matt Henjak, 1. Ceri Jones, 2. Tani Fuga, 3. Maurice Fitz Gerald, 4. Roy Winters, 5. Simon Miall, 6. Nick Easter, 7. Andre Vos (c), 8, Tony Diprose
Replacements:
16. Ace Tiatia , 17.Mark Lambert 18 ,Karl Rudski , 19. Luke Sheriff, 20. Steve So’oialo 21. Adrian Jarvis, 22. Andy Reay

Leicester :
15. Geordan Murphy, 14. Austin Healey, 13. Ollie Smith,12. Seru Rabeni, 11.John Holtby, 10. Andy Goode,9. Scott Bemand,1. Darren Morris,2 George Chuter,3.Julian White, 4. Martin Johnson (C),5. Ben Kay,6. Martin Corry, 7.Neil Back,8. Will Johnson,
Replacements: to be selected from the following:
Graham Rowntree, James Buckland, James Hamilton, Brett Deacon, Lewis Moody, Harry Ellis, Matt Cornwell, Dan Hipkiss, Sam Vesty

Match officials:
Referee: Dave Pearson
Touch judges: Bob Mullis and Steve Savage
Assessor: Tony Trigg