It's now or never for Quins

13 April 2012

Phil Davies believes tonight's sell-out Premiership relegation battle between his Leeds side and Harlequins is the "biggest game in the club's history".

Quins, too, know the importance of the clash at The Stoop and have banned their players from giving interviews. They finished training on Wednesday, a day early, to give the squad a different build-up to a match they cannot afford to lose.

The battle of the outside-halves will be crucial tonight with Paul Burke, Quins' leading points scorer, returning after a foot injury to face Steve Bachop, the former Samoa and London Irish No10.

If First Division champions Rotherham satisfy the criteria for entry to the Premiership, it looks certain that one of these two teams will lose their status as one of the top 12 clubs in England. Bath and Saracens are also dangerously close to the drop.

For Quins, relegation would mean a £3million drop in revenue and leave Lions stars such as Keith Wood, Will Greenwood, Dan Luger and Jason Leonard plying their trade next season with the likes of Wakefield, Rugby and Orrell only 12 months after winning the European Shield and reaching the Tetley's Bitter Cup Final.

While Quins have always been able to rise to the challenge in a cup match, their recent league record makes sorry reading. They finished second from bottom to Rotherham last season and 10th the season before.

It is this inability to build a consistent league challenge that has undermined Quins and the growing strength of the 12 clubs has meant all teams are vulnerable.

Even London Wasps were bottom at the turn of the year following a series of injuries and a loss of confidence-"That proves there are no whipping boys in the league any more," said Mark Evans, the Quins chief executive.

"It used to be the case that you could bank on two or three teams struggling but those days have gone.

"It will be a big night at The Stoop - a sell-out again. Our supporters have been magnificent in what has been a disappointing season."

Now, it is Leeds who are bottom but director of rugby Davies is upbeat about the challenge ahead, saying: "This is a massive game for the club and one that in all honesty I am really looking forward to.

"We have had a really good week in preparation for the game and go to London with only two players ruled out through injury, so we are in reasonable shape.

"If someone had offered me this position at the start of the season, I would have taken it. Our destiny is still in our own hands and we need to make sure that we perform on the day.

"Harlequins have a quality side and they were desperately unlucky last week. I know exactly how they must have felt when they conceded that last-minute try to lose the bonus point. That has happened twice to us this year, against Wasps and Bath, and it is very disappointing.

"Mark Evans will have done his homework this week and I have no doubt that we are in for our toughest challenge of the season."

7.45pm, tonight, The Stoop, Live on Sky Sports 3

Rugbymail.co.uk

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It's now or never for Quins

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