RugbyRebels

Harlequins: Green; Lynagh, Northmore, Esterhuizen, Murley; Allan, Care (capt); Garcia Botta, Walker, Collier, Tizard, Lamb, Chisholm, Kenningham, Lawday

Replacements: Riley, Kerrod, Louw, Lewies, Wallace, Steele, Edwards, Jones


Saracens: Goode (capt); Lewington, Morris, Tompkins, Maitland; Lozowski, van Zyl; M Vunipola, Woolstencroft, Koch, Isiekwe, Swinson, Christie, Wray (capt), B Vunipola

Replacements: Lewis, Mawi, Riccioni, McFarland, Earl, Davies, Segun, Obatoyinbo

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys (RFU).

Quins stripped more by England callups than Saracens - who would've picked that at the start of the season? Quins still look like a strong side, but they're a very different proposition without Smith and Marler, and facing Vunipolae with points to prove might just be too much for them.

Puja

The difference in quality up front will prove the difference here. Front line international props versus Garcia botta and Collier… erm.

Billy against lawday… erm.

We could be in for a shellacking unless we can get the ball away from the breakdown quickly. Need the 3 flankers to be on it.

Saracens may have an edge in the front 5 but the Quins backs look a lot more pacey and dangerous to me.

We've been a bit of a bogy team for Saracens in the past and at least it's at home

Quins are the current champions though. There’s no way Saracens aren’t looking to make a statement.

Shame it’s not full first teams for this one (and a couple of the games this weekend) but could still be interesting.

Louw and Lewies back is massive for us.

Decent game so far. Quins ahead after 20 mins.

Only caught the last 5, but looking good

Dayglo - 'that clearout's fine'

Yellow comes out.

Good fun game this. Quins deservedly in front. Sarries are sloppy, but Quins are defending well and attacking excellently. Second half could be a cracker.

No argument with Lamb’s yellow, but I find it hard to accept that Koch’s foul play is likely to rob us of Allan for an extended period (2nd failed HIA in his last couple of games) for only a penalty. Not on at all.

Scrumhead wrote:No argument with Lamb’s yellow, but I find it hard to accept that Koch’s foul play is likely to rob us of Allan for an extended period (2nd failed HIA in his last couple of games) for only a penalty. Not on at all.

Not seen the Koch incident but if from the Wales NZ game yesterday and a couple Sale shots at Tigers, there's some worrying backsliding by refs on tolerating head contact.

Still close.

16th man wrote:

Scrumhead wrote:No argument with Lamb’s yellow, but I find it hard to accept that Koch’s foul play is likely to rob us of Allan for an extended period (2nd failed HIA in his last couple of games) for only a penalty. Not on at all.

Not seen the Koch incident but if from the Wales NZ game yesterday and a couple Sale shots at Tigers, there's some worrying backsliding by refs on tolerating head contact.

It wasn’t direct contact to the head but Koch was about a day late and I think it was probably more of the whiplash effect that caused the problem. Should have been a yellow on how late it was.

Any thoughts on Andrew Christie? Looks quite handy

Adam Jones is the geordie football fan of quins.

Wray scores on 77 mins.

Meh, just dropped right off in the last 20, bench couldn't compete with theirs

Shame for quins in the end.

Quins will be kicking themselves for losing. Some better game management and breakdown discipline would have seen them home. Unlucky to lose Allan and then Esterhuizen.
Christie played well i thought. Looks a good all rounder.
Must mention the excellent Lamb for Quins. One of the most improved players in the Prem I reckon.

That little fella Green continues to play great rugby. He looks about the best all-round FB in the league. Surprised the Boks have not come after him, especially given LeRoux's recent form.

Yeah he's been immense. So solid at the back and creates a lot. If the Boks don't want him I'm sure Scotland can find a willing granny from somewhere

Or the Welsh. I see they’ve called up Brad Roberts from Ulster who has found a Welsh granny. Poach, poach and more poach seems to be Pivac’s mantra.

Lawday is no world-beater but he has good hands and timing.

Is his granny Welsh too?