The Premiership table looks like this prior to Friday nights three matches..

This will be the first match of a punishing schedule of three over the next eight days, as both teams play Premiership rugby mid week followed by EDF cup action next weekend, thus adding a further dimension to the fixture with Quins looking at a tough away game against Worcester and then an away match against Ospreys while Irish entertain Sale at Home midweek, followed by Worcester in the EDF. The two teams met just a month ago at The Stoop in a pre season friendly, that Quins won 27-24, and they will meet again in a months time the EDF cup back at The Stoop

This is the fourth match in this years Premiership, and we are at that stage of the season where gaps start to appear in the table. Quins currently lie in 3^rd place are losing there first game of the season last week down at Kingsholm. In contrast after their first match of the season London Irish scored a surprise and comprehensive win 26-14 against London Wasps at the LDH. Irish have followed that with two tough but close scoring matches losing both away at Leicester 26-22 and at home to Bath1 6-20 these losses however should not just be dismissed out of hand. Irish feel aggrieved that they only took a losing bonus point from each match as both these games were games they should have really have won.  Having watched London Irish at the LDH, I can understand why they haven t won since that match. Irish were well in control by half time and despite passionate play there was not the spark to really press home their advantage and go for the jugular. Irish scored three tries that day, but they didn t push for a fourth to get a bonus point. By the end of the first quarter f the second half they knew they had won and played to defend that win rather than rack up more points. As we ve seen in previous years Irish are consistently one of the teams with the lowest number of bonus pints, but come the end of the season and as we know do count in the final reckoning. This year may be different as they already have two from their three games

I drove back up the M4 last Saturday from Cardiff, on what had been a magnificent September day, weather wise a spectacular sunset was forming in my rear view mirror. As I approached Reading, at about 7.00pm, I noticed clouds had begun to appear. I m not sure whether these had gathered over the Madjeski Stadium caused by the gloom, frustration and despondency of the London Irish supporters after their home loss to Bath, and dropping from 4^th to 8^th in the table, or due to the gloom, frustration and despondency of the returning Quins supporters on the subdued Quinssa coach that I passed at junction 12, it was probably a combination of both. Ironically Quins and London Irish lost their respective matches by the same margin of four points.

Perhaps it was inevitable last Saturday, facing a Gloucester team that included Gary Cooper that Quins were to face their High Noon! In some respects this was a repeat of last years encounter, but the slim defeat was worse because Quins had been ahead for most of the match going in a respectable 5-13 at half time. Gloucester did just enough to hold on to their hard fought slim lead at the end and repel the attack from the quartered shirts. Anxious moments towards the end of the match as Shed willed the clock to run down.

So to this week’s match, Nick Easter has warned that Quins need to have their wits about them at the Stoop as they play to chalk up another home win. Easter said “it is going to be tough. They are a massive threat from broken play and Quins must stop Ojo, Armitage, Tagicakibau and Mapusua at source “and his has called on for a strong support from the Stoop faithful “ our home crowd has got better – they get involved when things are going well but we would like The Stoop to m be more intimidating. The home side do get the rub of the green when it comes to decisions – the crowd give them a 16^th man.”

There is a recurrent theme in most match reports this season, of the woeful goal kicking that seems to be afflicting al the teams in the Premiership. Whether this is because of the introduction of the ELV’s it may be too early to tell, but the penalty count seems to have grown, as referees try to stamp their interpretation of the new laws. Dean Richards appears to be justified in his complaint about the penalty count in the second half against Gloucester, but with the complementary cries of “are you Leicester in disguise” ringing from the shed (thanks for that Lou) maybe not

The ELV’s were supposed to bring in an era of fast flowing Rugby, rather than the aerial ping pong we are getting served up each week, maybe we are still in a period on adjustment, but I believe we may well see some fast flowing rugby this weekend at The Stoop.  In a surprise move Dean Richards announced Saturday’s team early this week on Thursday instead of Friday lunchtime. Quins have made a number of changes. In the forwards, Jim Evans will partner Ollie Kohn in the second row, whilst Nick Easter will move to blindside flanker, allowing Tom Guest to come back in at number 8. George Robson and Chris Robshaw will both start on the bench , a sensible move with the physical awaty game at Worcester in midweek. In the front row, Gary Botha comes back into the starting lineout as hooker, to join forces with Ceri Jones and Mike Ross. Tani Fuga and Mark Lambert take their places on the bench.

It is a very strong team,  and a strong bench too and whilst we may missing Evans for his kicking duties, as previously stated ALL Premiership teams appear to be having issue with goal kicking.

So a prediction naturally a Quins win even though I'll not be at the match this week. London Irish may garner another loosing bonus, but it would be nice to see Quins pick up a four try bonus point too, in teh sunshine at Fortress Stoop.

Come on You Quins!

Harlequins
15. Mike Brown, 14. David Strettle, 13. Gonzalo Tiesi, 12. Jordan Turner- Hall, 11. Ugo Monye, 10. Chris Malone, 9. Danny Care, 1. Ceri Jones, 2. Gary Botha, 3. Mike Ross, 4.Ollie Kohn, 5. Jim Evans, 6. Nick Easter, 7. Will Skinner (C) 8. Tom Guest
Replacements: 16 Tani Fuga, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 George Robson, 19 Chris Robshaw, 20 Andy Gomarsall 21 Tom Williams ,22 Waisea Luveniyali

The other Premiership matches this weekend are;  

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