By Worried of Whitton
February 13 2009

After a week off Harlequins are back in action this weekend in the Guinness Premiership against their old rivals London Irish away at Reading. This fixture is generally the most eagerly awaited fixture in the Premiership by both sets of fans as the result sets the bragging rights for the rest of the season . Kick off at the Madjeski Stadium is at 14.30 on Saturday  February 14th.  

After a slow start London Irish have surprised everyone with their current form. Coupled with the fact that after many years of trying the Irish have finally understood how the bonus points system works, and what it can do for your league position. Until their last match against Gloucester, London Irish had been topping the Premiership over the Christmas and New Year period, Ironically it was Gloucester that replaced them, and Gloucester who Quins meet at home s next week.

As the table shows Harlequins have to win both their next two matches against the first and second placed clubs in order to stay in range of the leaders, A loss in either match will see the Quins fall further behind in their quest for Premiership honours. With the Heineken Cup on ice until April, Quins need to re establish their Premiership credentials, and finish in a top six or even top four position..

London Irish have taken the honours in the two matches they have played this season, in the Premiership and the EDF. Quins handed victory to the Irish on a plate when the two sides met at the Stoop back in September; Quins appeared home and dry at 20-3 at half time but by full time Irsh took the honours 27-28 so the quartered shirts will be out for revenge this weekend. These “local derby” matches tend to be thrilling matches, with the passionate supporters of both sides desperate for their side to come away with a victory. For the first time in many seasons London Irish have provided a number of players to the Six Nations Squad and Irish will be missing Geraghty, an Armitage, Kennedy  and Hodgson. Quins will be without Easter, and Care who is injured, as well as a number of other injured players.

Harlequins come into this match on the back of a win at home against Northampton, in a match where they should have gained a bonus point, but it was jist the performance they needed to get back to winning ways. Saturday will be the first time London Irish will witness the power, guile and cunning of Nick Evans. Confidence from either sets of supporters does not feel very high, as these games are never predicable and of course Quins fans have the added burden of watching England play in Cardiff after this match finishes.  London Irish are still a strong side without their Internationals, and they ve only lost once at home this season. In contrast The Madjeski Stadium is a lucky arena for Quins have been the venue of their two European Cup triumphs in recent years.

A difficult match and almost impossible to predict the outcome, Quins need to win, and Irish will be fighting to regain their top spot. Whoever losses there will be a bonus point for them, as I expect  a close  score line

STOP PRESS: Teams

London Irish:
Peter Hewat, Topsy Ojo, Elvis Seveali’i ,Seilala Mapusua, Adam Thompstone, Mike Catt, Alfredo Lalanne, Clarke Dermody, David Paice, Tonga Lea’aetoa, Gary Johnson, James Hudson, Richard Thorpe, Steffon Armitage, Chris Hala’Ufia
Subs: Alex Corbisiero, James Buckland, Matthew Garvey, Jonathon Fisher, Charlie Gower, Peter Richards, James Bailey

Harlequins:
Ceri Jones, Gary Botha, Mark Lambert, Ollie Kohn, George Robson, Chris Robshaw, Will Skinner, Tom Guest, Andy Gommarsall, Nick Evans, Ugo Monye, Jordan Turner-Hall, Gonzalo Tiesi, Tom Williams, Mike Brown
Subs: Chris Brooker, Peter Bracken, Jim Evans, Neil McMillan, Junior Poluleuligaga, Chris Malone, Dave Strettle 

Come on You Quins!

 Other fixtures this weekend include;