Harlequins supporters will be expecting a far more happier day than the last time they visited this Yorkshire ground on a cold and damp Tuesday night in April 2005 when they lost 21-10 a result that effectively sealed their relegation that year, I can still remember the long tiring journey home on the coach.

Harlequins are now enjoying far happier times, and although the eagerly anticipated five point win at home the Newcastle two weeks ago did not materialise, the results in the other matches provided the bonus that allowed Quins to move up to third position in the league, just two points below the top spot.  

Bristol Rugby deducted one point for field an ineligible player

Although Quins do have the worst points' difference of the top seven clubs, they will be hoping to improve this on Sunday afternoon against Leeds, who run out after two high scoring and highly embarrassing defeats, 57-5 away at Bath last weekend in the European Challenge Cup, following their thumping  66-7 by Saracens the week before, a total of 123 points conceded in their last two games.  Leeds will be playing for pride and although mathematically are still in with a chance of avoiding the drop they are just one loss away from   confirmed relegation, and with their negative 300 plus points’ difference, are effectively down.

Harlequins must not be complacent they know they have a job to do and they are the most in form side in the Premiership in recent weeks with six victories in their last seven matches and picking up a massive 27 league points in the process. We should not forget that Newcastle came unstuck following the fastest try in premiership history being scored by Leeds just three weeks ago, when Leeds won 16-15, but Leeds have not won back to back home Premiership matches since February 2006. Quins have not had a very good history of wins at Headingley winning just two out of their last six visits; although they comprehensively beat Leeds 39 -15 down at The Stoop back in September, which included five tries.

Harlequins have to continue with their momentum and win the game and then go for the bonus point, which is essential to return home with if we stand any chance of reaching the play offs. This match is yet another potential banana skin, the team must focus on what they have to achieve and on the prize. We have to come home with five points, as this will be a very tough week for Leicester, Sale and Wasps who are also fighting for a top four finish as all three clubs have two matches to play in the space of four days, Leicester are in the EDF final on Saturday and are away at Bath on Tuesday night for their round 19 match, whilst Wasps and Sale are also in action this weekend and the two meet each other on Tuesday night to play out their postponed match from last month. Typically Wasps have the good fortune of both their games being played at home.

The top of the table is so tight with the top four teams separated by just one point from the team below/above then that both the winning and conceding we may still rue allowing Bath to score at the end of the match at the Stoop a few weeks ago, when the final whistle is blown on the season. With Bath not playing Leicester until Tuesday evening Quins could go top this weekend if they beat Leeds and a renewed and invigorated Saracens pull off and away win at Kingsholm, on Saturday, so if that does occur, Quins will have that extra incentive to play for on Sunday afternoon, with the tantalizing thought of a winner takes all clash up at Welford Road on the last day of the season.

Quins dug deep for their win against Newcastle two weeks ago at The Stoop, and it showed how far they have progressed after that winter of discontent, being able to hold Newcastle at bay despite being a man down for half of the second half. Last weekend’s rest, when the European competitions took precedence was a blessing for Quins who suffered a number of injuries in the match against the Falcons. The extra week gave more recovery time and we can expect a strong side to run out on Sunday. With the news of a large core of the squad renewing their contacts it is clear that there is a great deal of confidence in the side, with the dream of a fantastic end to the season and an even greater dream next season. The Leeds supporters will be eagerly awaiting the return of Danny Care, who will not do his old club any favours, and it is expected that ground will contain a few supporters from Rotherham if as rumoured David Strettle makes his return to the squad. His inclusion would up the pace of the backs and provide the momentum for scoring opportunities.

I m very confident of a win this weekend, the manor of the win is unsure, and will dependant upon the weather conditions on the day. Quins will be up for it. Ollie Kohn is quoted in the Richmond and Twickenham Times this morning as saying “ I have never been with a team involved in the latter stages of any competition, it is an exciting place to be… Quins will not be taking this match lightly “we cannot sit back and think this weekend will be easy”.

You’ve not seen nothing like the

Mighty Quins!

Other matches this weekend:

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