Can the Harlequins beat the graceful Toulouse?
Back in May on a cold Cardiff night, six points down with six minutes to go in the Amlin Cup Final, few Quins fans could have imagined that their team would be starring in the pick of this weekend's European Cup games. What a difference a few minutes can make. On that night a late converted try won Harlequins the title and a place in this year's Heineken Cup. Quins supporters will be hoping for a similar result when they take on Toulouse in front of a sold out Stoop this Friday.
Their European heavyweight opponents are four times Heineken Cup champions, reigning French champions, and positioned at the top of the French Super 14 league. Despite all of this Quins will go into the match having won 14 straight games, unbeaten in all competitions this season. Whilst Toulouse will be slight favourites, Quins will know they are more than capable of recording a historic victory over the French visitors.
I suggest that any commentators who think the Harlequins' apparent rise to the top of the Aviva Premiership is a temporary result of the 'World Cup Effect' “ when many big names were missing early in the season “ take a closer look. Nine points clear in the league, Quins have an impressive record both in attack and defence. Only Saracens have conceded fewer points, a credit to a solid, well organised defensive unit that has been successful in closing out tight games in recent weeks. Key men Luke Wallace and Joe Marler may be hoping to catch the eye of England caretaker coach Stuart Lancaster this weekend.
Even if Toulouse's Head Coach Guy Noves believes he can unlock the Quins defence, the real and ever-present threat of Seb Stegmann, Sam Smith and Mike Brown may still give him a headache. Thriving off quick ball and with a licence to play counterattack rugby from deep, the Quins back trio have been a constant threat in the Premiership this year scoring more tries this season (32) than any other team.
One player on whom all eyes will be fixed come Friday is Chris Robshaw. Having won plaudits from just about everywhere this season, Chris is increasingly being seen as not only a first team England player but a potential replacement captain for the retired Lewis Moody. How he deals with the experienced French international Thierry Dusautoir will be key to the success of Quins on the night.
Despite the optimism recently surrounding Quins, who will triumph this Friday will depend on which Toulouse team steps off the bus. If players such as William Servant and Thierry Dusautoir arrive with purpose and successfully disrupt the breakdown, offering turnovers to the likes of Vincent Cleric, it might yet be a long night for the Londoners.
