Harlequins 2014/15 Thread

[Sam]

Squad for 2014/15 Season:
Hookers: Rob Buchanan, Joe Gray, Dave Ward
Props: Will Collier, Paul Doran-Jones, Mark Lambert, Darryl Marfo, Joe Marler (c), Kyle Sinckler
Locks: Charlie Matthews, George Merrick, George Robson, Sam Twomey
Backrow: Chris Robshaw, Joe Trayfoot, Luke Wallace, Jack Clifford, Nick Easter
Scrum Half: Danny Care, Karl Dickson, Sam Stuart
Fly Half: Ben Botica, Nick Evans
Centre: Tom Casson, Matt Hopper, George Lowe, Jordan Turner-Hall
Wing: Ugo Monye, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Charlie Walker, Tom Williams, Marland Yarde
Fullback: Mike Brown, Ross Chisholm, Ollie Lindsay-Hague

Players in: Asaeli Tikoirotuma (Waikato Chiefs), Marland Yarde (London Irish)

Players out: Tom Guest (London Irish), Sam Smith (Worcester Warriors), Samoa Maurie Fa'asavalu (Oyonnax), Nick Kennedy (retired), Tim Molenaar (London Welsh), Nic Mayhew (North Harbour), Paul Sackey (retired)

Pre-season:
FC Grenoble - Harlequins 16/08/14
Harlequins - Pau 23/08/14
Glasgow Warriors - Harlequins 23/08/14

Come on you Quins!!!  

[Sam]

Went to the Pau game at the weekend, ended 17 - 17. Young Quins side out with a few first teamers. Matt Hopper played brilliantly and was my man of the match - high work rate, tackled and carried well.

[George Carlin]

Good to see a Quins thread on, Sam.

Will you predict a score for the Glasgow game?

Only 3 points in it last year. We were leading until the last 10 minutes, when we decided to feck it up:

[Sam]

I was at the game last year, were you there?

I assume we will both be putting out full strength teams (we will wait and see...) in which case I think it will be tight again like last year I'll go for a Quins win by 3   what do you think?

[George Carlin]

I was at the game last year, were you there?

I assume we will both be putting out full strength teams (we will wait and see...) in which case I think it will be tight again like last year I'll go for a Quins win by 3   what do you think?

God, I dunno. So much depends on what approach is taken to selection.

Some of our guys were playing Commonwealth Games 7s (Vernon, Eddie, Bennett, Lamont, Hogg) a month ago and some others had surgery in the close season (Welsh, Grant) so I'm not actually sure who is available. When you look at the team last year:

1 Gordon Reid

2 Pat MacArthur

3 Ed Kalman

4 Jonny Gray

5 Tom Ryder

6 James Eddie

7 Chris Fusaro

8 Richie Vernon

9 Ali Price

10 Scott Wight

11 Byron McGuigan

12 Gabriel Ascarate

13 Mark Bennett

14 Tommy Seymour

15 Peter Murchie

Sub Kevin Bryce

Sub Jon Welsh

Sub Moray Low

Sub Tim Swinson

Sub Will Bordill

Sub Tyrone Holmes

Sub Henry Pyrgos

Sub Finn Russell

Sub Rory Hughes

Sub Sean Lamont

only about a third of the XXIII could be said to be first team starters.

However, this year Glasgow start against Leinster (the team that beat us in last year's final) at home and so I think that this means there will be far more urgency against Quins because it's the only serious warm up game that we have.

With home advantage and a very settled squad, I think that Glasgow will take it by less than 7.

[jimbopip]

George, George... don't you realise that the undecided are waiting to see how we do against the Fund Managers Fifteen? The referendum depends on us stuffing them by at least 20 points.

[IanBru]

Well.... I suppose beating Harlequins is as good a reason to vote Yes as anything I've heard so far!

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

You naughty lads must know the only person allowed to speak politics on here is fES - coz he is part of the establishment - New Club etc etc !

[propdavid_london]

I would like to see one of the stronger Quins sides to be selected. My understanding is that Casson and Lowe probably still arent going to be fit to play untill the seasons started.

Perhaps something like -
Marler
Ward
Collier
C.Matthews
Robson
Wallace
Robshaw
Clifford
Care
Bottica
Yarde
Tickorotuma
Hopper
C.Walker
Brown

Lambert, Buchannan/Grey, Sinkler, Merrick, Easter, Dickson, Evans, Chisholm

Its a strong side with a few tweaks and experiments in there.
Do they allow larger benches for the pre-season stuff? I like Sinkler a lot, but Collier was looking very good too before injury - good enough to be called into England saxons.
Would like to see Sinkler and Collier rotate through the season giving both good gametime.

[propdavid_london]

I think it would also be a good test to see the Tickrotuma in the centers too - especially if Lowe and Casson are still coming back from injury.

[Sam]

I think it would also be a good test to see the Tickrotuma in the centers too - especially if Lowe and Casson are still coming back from injury.  

He played at 13 at the weekend with Hopper at 12. Hopper was definitely the stand out of the two. Hopefully he's just lacking some match fitness/sharpness.

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Any of you London fellas travelling North on Friday/Saturday ?

[Sam]

Any of you London fellas travelling North on Friday/Saturday ?

Unfortunately not. Do you have tickets for the game?

[ChequeredJersey]

Harlequins are rubbish, if any of you think they will win any matches ever again you are complete morons. I am barely literate and cannot justify any of my opinions and have a personal problem with Conor O'Shea

[Sam]

Harlequins are rubbish, if any of you think they will win any matches ever again you are complete morons. I am barely literate and cannot justify any of my opinions and have a personal problem with Conor O'Shea

Thanks for your input CJ.

[HongKongCherry]

Harlequins are rubbish, if any of you think they will win any matches ever again you are complete morons. I am barely literate and cannot justify any of my opinions and have a personal problem with Conor O'Shea

.

Logan must have been distraught with your finish last season. Bless him, he really was an idiot

[ChequeredJersey]

On a more serious note, really looking forward to Europe, great group and I can hopefully get to the Leinster and Wasps away matches. Never too fussed about pre season, Dean Richards used to say you learnt nothing by winning pre season games and I kind of agree

[ChequeredJersey]

Harlequins are rubbish, if any of you think they will win any matches ever again you are complete morons. I am barely literate and cannot justify any of my opinions and have a personal problem with Conor O'Shea

.

Logan must have been distraught with your finish last season. Bless him, he really was an idiot

I'm sure he'll be back unless we win every single game by 30 points...

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Any of you London fellas travelling North on Friday/Saturday ?

Unfortunately not. Do you have tickets for the game?

Aye Sam. I am a season ticket holder at Scotstoun(had to buy a ticket for this one tbh), but I believe The Warriors got a very warm welcome last year at the The Stoop so our band of brothers (and sisters) would like to reciprocate. Not heard of many travelling mind you ?!

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

BTW whats the chance of Mike Brown and Chris Robshaw playing ? Both terrific rugby players in very different parts of the field.

[ChequeredJersey]

As we'll want to get them gametime before the main season, pretty high. I'd expect Marler, Robshaw, MB and Danny to play at the very least off the bench

[George Carlin]

Robshaw's battle on the floor with Fusaro was fairly epic last year.

[Sam]

Any of you London fellas travelling North on Friday/Saturday ?

Unfortunately not. Do you have tickets for the game?

Aye Sam.  I am a season ticket holder at Scotstoun(had to buy a ticket for this one tbh), but I believe The Warriors got a very warm welcome last year at the The Stoop so our band of brothers (and sisters) would like to reciprocate.  Not heard of many travelling mind you ?!

I went to the game last season, wish I could have gone, will try and get to some away games this season.

[George Carlin]

I was at the game last year, were you there?

I assume we will both be putting out full strength teams (we will wait and see...) in which case I think it will be tight again like last year I'll go for a Quins win by 3   what do you think?

Sam - Glasgow squad has been named for the game.
 
If you start assigning likely candidates to their positions, the team looks like this:
 
01 Alex Allan
02 Pat MacArthur
03 Euan Murray
04 Leone Nakarawa
05 Jonny Gray
06 Rob Harley
07 Chris Fusaro
08 Josh Strauss
 
09 Niko Matawalu
10 Duncan Weir
11 DTH van der Merwe
12 James Downey
13 Mark Bennett
14 Lee Jones
15 Peter Murchie
 
16 Jerry Yanuyanutawa
17 Fraser Brown
18 Rossouw de Klerk
19 James Eddie
20 Tyrone Holmes
21 Murray McConnell
22 Peter Horne
23 Connor Braid
 
The guys noted in red are whom I would describe as usually in our first choice XV.
Peter Murchie was preferred over Stuart Hogg at the end of last season.
 
A real mixed bag with the other fellers - names to look for include:
- Fraser Brown - should be Scotland's hooker over the next 5 years - very fast and aggressive.
- Rossouw de Klerk - signed from the Cheetahs this summer - very young and apparently phenomenally strong.
- James Eddie - quintessential squad man - instant aggression.
- Connor Braid - signing was just announced today - Canadian international utility back with a bit of gas, apparently.

In summary, a pretty strong team with a very useful bench. A better team than the one we put up last year.

[propdavid_london]

Is that James Downey formerly of Saints and Munster?

[George Carlin]

Is that James Downey formerly of Saints and Munster?

Tis indeed. Nabbed him from Munster in the close season. Munster fans have all pretended not to care.

[propdavid_london]

Good player that - He had such a good combination with Jon Clarke. Should be a good game, depending on if Quins decide to take a slightly more serious squad. They should do as there are some 1st teamers that still need a bit of gametime.

[propdavid_london]

Harlequins squad
15. Mike Brown
14. Marland Yarde
13. Matt Hopper
12. Jordan Turner-Hall
11. Ugo Monye
10. Nick Evans
9. Danny Care


1. Joe Marler©
2. Joe Gray
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. Charlie Matthews
5. George Robson
6. Luke Wallace
7. Chris Robshaw
8. Nick Easter

Replacements from:
Rob Buchanan, Mark Lambert, Paul Doran Jones, George Merrick, Sam Twomey, Joe Trayfoot, Jack Clifford, Karl Dickson, Ben Botica, Ross Chisholm, Ollie Lindsay-Hague, Charlie Walker.

[propdavid_london]

That is pretty much the 1st team squad. Surprised to see Tikrotumi chap isnt even in the extended squad

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Looking forward to seeing Mike Brown and Chris Robshaw in the 'flesh' as it were ! Both quality rugby players - we do have few of our own tbh . Depends on what meds Mad Mata McMad, the Weegie from Fiji, has taken- esp if he starts as SH    For our friends in the South here is a wee clip of His MacMentalness :-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFAWjFVsGLc

[propdavid_london]

Is this on TV anywhere?

[ChequeredJersey]

Just need Lowe back and that's arguable 1st team

[George Carlin]

Lots of respect from Quins. Bit worried about our front row now, but it should be a cracker. Some great match ups everywhere.

[quinsforever]

thats a really strong looking quins side for tomorrow.

i'm in france at the moment, anyone know where i can watch it?

[George Carlin]

Confirmation of the team for Quins:
15. Peter Murchie
14. Lee Jones
13. Mark Bennett
12. James Downey
11. Rory Hughes
10. Duncan Weir
9. Murray McConnell
 
1. Alex Allan
2. Fraser Brown
3. Euan Murray
4. Jonny Gray
5. Leone Nakarawa
6. James Eddie
7. Tyrone Holmes
8. Josh Strauss (Captain)
 
Replacements:
Connor Braid
DTH van der Merwe
Peter Horne
Niko Matawalu
Adam Ashe
Chris Fusaro
Rob Harley
Rossouw de Klerk
Fergus Scott
Pat MacArthur
Jerry Yanuyanutawa

Didn't think we'd start with youngfellers Hughes and McConnell. A real Frankenstein's monster of a team.

[Geordie]

Hows George Lowe looking?

Has he recovered from his serious injury?

[ChequeredJersey]

He's being eased back in so we won't know yet, but I hope so and the sounds from George and the club are good

[yappysnap]

The worry is we got a lot of positive feedback last time he was injured but he still ended up getting hurt again, hopefully he isn't doomed to bad luck with injuries as he's such a talent!

Even if he does come back 100% he'll still take a few months to get back into the run of things, and that's if JTH finds some form to help him out!!!!

[ChequeredJersey]

Luckily Marchant, though about 12, looks special for the future. And I think we might see Walker at 13 too

[yappysnap]

Walker looked good there partnering Hopper at times, but that may just be because teams couldn't tell them apart...

[propdavid_london]

Hi Yappy, A Hopper and Walker center partnership would be a bit lightweight though in my opinion.
The way Quins play they need at least 1 guy to straighten the line and keep defenders honest - JTH (with confidence) used to do that very well, Quins lost their shape quite a bit when he was injured or off form - Untill they brought in Molenar! Who did just that.
It gives space to guys like Hopper/Lowe/Walker, Casson?
Hopper is kind of a 12-13 generalist.

Now that Molenar is gone we will be largely dependent on JTH in form and staying fit and perhaps Tickrotuma?

[Poorfour]

The reports on Quins 12s are promising:
- JTH has apparently lost nearly a stone in weight without losing any power and is feeling great.
- Casson is still recovering from surgery at the end of the season, and is due back in October. Assuming that was affecting him throughout last year, that raises the prospect that we might see him find a run of fitness and form.
- Sloan played in the JRWC and looked good. This could be a breakthrough year for him.

Lowe is also apparently in great physical shape although will have to be eased back in after such a long time out.

[propdavid_london]

An inform JTH would do wonders to the Quins performance.
Still think letting Molenar go was a bit of an oversight though.

[Poorfour]

An inform JTH would do wonders to the Quins performance.
Still think letting Molenar go was a bit of an oversight though.

Molenaar did a great job but he's the wrong side of 30 and Quins have JTH, Casson, Sloan and (at a pinch) Hopper and Botica who can all play 12.

I know a lot of people don't rate Casson but I think he has all the skills. He's clearly been carrying an injury but had an op in April and if that sorts his fitness out I think we will see him come through this year. The last time he was fit for an extended period, COS preferred him to JTH - but JTH is reportedly lighter (therefore faster and fitter) but no less powerful this year.

Sloan looks like the real deal and impressed at U20 - I want to see more of him and from memory he's a similar size and shape to Molenaar. Botica shouldn't really be played at 12 as one of his problems is that he plays more like a 12 than a 10, but he can cover.

I'm assuming that, with a salary cap to stay under, COS weighed up the alternatives and felt we were better using the money to bring in Yarde and Tiks than giving Molenaar an extra year.

[propdavid_london]

Fair point Poorfour - Bringing in Yarde, by all accounts wasnt cheap.
Sam smith was another one that I was dissapointed to see go - it seemed like his form just shot up in the tail end of the season.
But, you have to loose some players to bring more in.

I always thought it was a confidence thing with JTH - hopefully him loosing a bit of bulk wont reduce his effectiveness!

[Poorfour]

Fair point Poorfour - Bringing in Yarde, by all accounts wasnt cheap.  
Sam smith was another one that I was dissapointed to see go - it seemed like his form just shot up in the tail end of the season.  
But, you have to loose some players to bring more in.  

I always thought it was a confidence thing with JTH - hopefully him loosing a bit of bulk wont reduce his effectiveness!

Smith has a brilliant try-scoring record but (according to a friend whose son is in the academy) his positioning in both attack and defence was never quite where Quins wanted it to be. I think Quins would have kept him, but he chose to go and have first team time at Worcs rather than fight his way past Yarde, Tiks, Ugo, Williams, Chis, Walker and OLH into the team. Fair play to him.

[propdavid_london]

Good inside knowledge - I was under the assumption that Quins didnt renew his contract rather than him wanting to leave.

[propdavid_london]

Its going to be a good test of Sinkler against Tom Court at the LDH.
Good matchups all over -

Easter against Guest
Yarde against Short
Evans against Geraghty

[Ozzy3213]

Guest v Easter will be fascinating. As an outsider looking in at Quins I never saw that much from Guest, but he has been excellent for us in pre season. I suspect he may have a bit of a point to prove tomorrow.

[ChequeredJersey]

He would have started and probably won caps playing for almost any other club in the country. It was a huge shame to lose him but we all wish him well

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