Harlequins 2013/14 Season Discussion Thread

[yappysnap]

First topic message reminder :

So a few other teams had their own threads last season, it seemed to work well and seeing as it's far easier to steal someone else's idea then think up your own...

WELCOME TO THE HARLEQUINS 2013/14 SEASON DISCUSSION THREAD!

The Squad for 13/14:
Director of Rugby Conor O'Shea
Head Coach John Kingston
First Team Coach Tony Diprose
Assistant First Team Coach Mark Mapletoft
Assistant First Team Coach Collin Osborne

Hooker
Joe Gray
Rob Buchanan
Dave Ward

Loosehead Prop:
Joe Marler
Mark Lambert
Nick Mayhew
Daryl Marfo

Tighthead Prop
Paul Doran Jones
Will Collier
Kyle Sinckler  

Lock
George Robson   
Charlie Matthews
George Merrick
Sam Twomey  

Blindside
Maurie Fa'asavalu
Joe Trayfoot  

Openside
Chris Robshaw
Luke Wallace

Number 8
Nick Easter
Tom Guest
Jack Clifford

Scrum Half
Danny Care
Karl Dickson

Fly Half
Nick Evans  
Ben Botica
Louis Grimoldby

Inside Centre
Jordan Turner-Hall  
Tom Casson  
Harry Sloan

Outside Centre
George Lowe
Matt Hopper
Charlie Walker

Wing
Ugo Monye
Tom Williams
Sam Smith
Miles Mantella


Fullback
Mike Brown
Ross Chisholm
Ollie Lindsay-Hague

Fixtures:

Harlequins are pleased to confirm an exciting and challenging opening for the 2013-14 Aviva Premiership season.
 
The Londoners kick-off the new season against local rivals London Wasps at Twickenham Stadium during the London Double Header on 7th September, kick-off 4.30pm (Live on BT Sport).

2013 Aviva Premiership finalists, Northampton Saints are the visitors for the first home game at The Twickenham Stoop on Friday 13th September, kick-off 7:45pm (Live on BT Sport).

The second home game welcomes Heineken Cup semi-finalists Saracens on 28th September, kick-off 3.15pm (Live on BT Sport).

Exeter Chiefs will be the visitors to Twickenham Stadium for the sixth Big Game on Saturday 28th December. More information about Big Game 6 will be provided in coming months.

The Londoners will open their Heineken Cup campaign over the weekend of the 11th/12th/13th October, while the defence of the LV= Cup will begin during the second weekend of November. Fixture dates and times are expected by ERC and Premiership rugby later this month.

The only way to guarantee your place at all of the regular season home fixtures is by becoming a Member. Information on the innovative Membership scheme and how to become a Member is available by clicking here or by calling 0208 744 4477.

"There is no such thing as an easy match in the Aviva Premiership and there is no doubt that our opening fixtures are very demanding," said Conor O'Shea, Harlequins Director of Rugby.

"Once again we will be competing in three great competitions against top class opposition from this country and Europe. Our Premiership campaign gets underway with the London Double Header against Wasps on 7th September and is followed during that month with tough home matches with Northampton Saints and Saracens as well as a trip to Sixways to play against Dean Ryan's Worcester.

"Given the quality of the opposition, we hope that our supporters will be looking forward to returning to The Stoop to get behind their team as we set out on the marathon that is the Premiership with all its related ups and downs."

Tickets for the new season's home games will go on sale on Monday 15th July. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 0208 410 6000
Harlequins Fixtures
Please note fixtures after Round 8 are subject to change

Round 1
Saturday September 7: London Wasps v Harlequins (4.30pm, Twickenham Stadium, BT Sport)

Round 2
Friday September 13:Harlequins v Northampton Saints (7.45pm BT Sport)

Round3
Friday September 21: Worcester Warriors v Harlequins (7.45pm BT Sport)

Round 4
Saturday September 28: Harlequins v Saracens (3.15pm BT Sport)

Round 5
Saturday October 5: London Irish v Harlequins (3.00pm)

Heineken Cup
Fri/Sat/Sun October 11/12/13 Heineken Cup

Fri/Sat/Sun October 18/19/20 Heineken Cup

Round 6
Saturday October 26: Harlequins v Sale Sharks (3.00pm)

Round 7
Saturday November 2: Leicester Tigers v Harlequins (5.30pm BT Sport)

LV= Cup
Fri/Sat/Sun November 9 LV= Cup

Fri/Sat/Sun November 16 LV= Cup

Round 8
Saturday November 23: Harlequins v Gloucester Rugby (3.00pm)

Round 9
Sunday December 1: Newcastle Falcons v Harlequins (3.00pm)

Heineken Cup
Fri/Sat/Sun Dec 6/7/8 Heineken Cup

Fri/Sat/Sun Dec 13/14/15Heineken Cup

Round 10
Saturday December 21st: Bath Rugby v Harlequins (3.00pm)

Round 11
Sat December 28: BIG GAME 6 Harlequins v Exeter Chiefs (3.00pm)

Round 12
Saturday January 4: Northampton Saints v Harlequins (3.00pm)

Heineken Cup
Fri/Sat/Sun January 10/11/12 Heineken Cup
Fri/Sat/ Sun January 17/18/19 Heineken Cup

LV= Cup
Fri/Sat/Sun Jan 24/25/26 LV= Cup
Fri/Sat/Sun Jan 31 Feb 1 /2 LV= Cup

Round 13
Saturday February 8: Harlequins v London Wasps (3.00pm)

Round 14
Saturday February 15: Harlequins v Newcastle Falcons (3.00pm)

Round 15
Saturday February 22: Gloucester Rugby v Harlequins (3.00pm)

Round 16
Saturday March 1: Harlequins v Worcester Warriors (3.00pm)

Round 17
Saturday March 22: Saracens v Harlequins (3.00pm)

Round 18
Saturday March 29: Harlequins v London Irish (3.00pm)

Round 19
Friday April 11: Sale Sharks v Harlequins (7.45pm)

Round 20
Saturday April 19: Harlequins v Leicester Tigers (3.00pm)

Round 21
Saturday May 3: Exeter Chiefs v Harlequins (3.00pm)

Round 22
Saturday May 10: Harlequins v Bath Rugby (3.00pm)

Whether you're a Quins fan or not please feel free to discuss, argue, banter and bicker below. And  to 2014's Aviva Prem Champs!!    

COYQ's!!!!

[doctor_grey]

I just don't think they'll do the gentlemanly thing and let you win.

I have found in my travels that up north and across the A14 (aka. The Rubicon), it's a jungle up there.  I have also learned fascinating things about up yonder on the National Geographic channel.  Or was it Discovery Channel?  No doubts, the Tigers won't be gentlemanly about things.  I suppose when they come down our way on Friday we will have to watch them very carefully.  We will simply have to play our limited game plan and try and win it.

[yappysnap]

Should be a very good game either way DG. You always have the Amlin final the week after if Tigers do poop all over the party.

[ChequeredJersey]

Let's hope Tigers beat Saints for England's sake!

Still can't believe we managed to get to where we are...

[ChequeredJersey]

So all eyes on the Prem for us now!

I guess after three very good games, playing a side like Saints in a storm was always going to be a come down. Shame about the loss but it's not the end of the world.

Biggest thing to take from that game is that Botica needs more rugby, he must start more games next season (dejavu?). He's a real talent but it's unfair that his first start in 3 months is in a semi final in terrible conditions. Especially as he's only been getting 5 minutes every week before that.

Nothing to lose, mate. No expectation. Been playing KO rugby since the last defeat to Sarries and now Nev is fit and in form and Danny, Robshaw and Brown are back and Monye actually scored a try! Believe

[yappysnap]

I have an odd feeling that we may win on Sat. Very strange but I just sense an upset...

[HongKongCherry]

I hope this post doesn't bring this thread crashing down as you're nearly at the limit.

I've seen that you've let Molenaar go. I'm really surprised by this as I would have thought that his performances since joining would have warranted a new contract. I do hope he stays in the Jeff as he is a very useful club player and I certainly be happy to see him return to Glaws.

[sad_gimp]

I thought Molenaar came pretty good too...I guess with JTH fit again and hopefully Lowe back next season he would have been surplus to requirements.

[yappysnap]

I think we're putting a huge amount into Casson, JTH and Lowe coming good. I don't agree personally and nore do a lot of fans on CAW but then that's why i'm not a coach!

In my view JTH is too injury prone and irratic. Casson is looking like he'll be a long time coming good and even when he does he doesn't give us the power game needed. Lowe's been out for a year, before that he was repeatedly injured, and before that he was very good. The problem is it could easily take all the remainder of the season for him to get back to that, if he isn't injured again.

Tim was probably the best signing we've made in a while, showed us just what we were missing and we wouldn't have got to the play offs without his very large imput.

I hope he gets a new contract in the Prem too, he more then deserves it compared to some.

[sad_gimp]

Agree, I think Molenaar has been better than JTH has been in 4 years and Lowe is too injury prone. Molenaar's game fit well with us too.

I hope we can pick another good direct center. Hopper, Lowe and even Botica can give us the creativity, but our gameplan is dependent on having a bosher that can draw in defenders.

[yappysnap]

Yep directing run is really lacking from our backline, we have a lot of guys who like to step and throw wild offloads, but only JTH who's willing to put his head down and run at defenders. And since 2012 he's been fairly ineffective at that.

[propdavid_london]

Word is that Aseli Tikoirotuma is a rather direct running option in the midfield as much as on the wing.

[ChequeredJersey]

Either way a good signing from all I've heard. Just need to bolster the pack a tad and hope Lowe makes it

[yappysnap]

Yea the lack of news on any new pack signings is a concern, I don't think it's a coincidence that the two best teams in the league spent their pre seasons establishing a strong pack with multiple new signings.

[propdavid_london]

On a different note - Quins have a rather tough group for Europe next year! Well, they are all pretty tough.
Leinster-Castre-Wasps and Quins

Runners up of the T14, Rabbo and the playoff winner.

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