Harlequins 2014/15 Thread

by Sam Mon Aug 18 2014, 14:10

First topic message reminder :

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!!! Fingers Crossed

by yappysnap Wed Dec 24 2014, 23:18

That would be a treat

by yappysnap Tue Dec 30 2014, 16:34

Are we seeing an upward curve in Quins form now?

Yes we lost on the weekend but it was still a far better performance then the majority so far! Just need to sort out the set piece and get Robshaw back now!

Next season we must looking at getting Lowe back to 13 (if that is actually his favoured position now) and getting a 12 that can support him.

We need better second choice prop then lambert too as we're getting routinely munched at scrum time without Marler.

by funnyExiledScot Tue Dec 30 2014, 17:16

Matt Scott is out of contract with Edinburgh at the end of the season. He'd make a decent foil for Lowe, not that I'd encourage him to leave.

by Poorfour Tue Dec 30 2014, 17:39

To be fair to Lambert, Mr Barnes has an issue with him, but he has gone well in most other games this year. He's had a fairly long innings though and the question is whether Marfo can be brought through quickly to take some of the strain.

by ChequeredJersey Tue Dec 30 2014, 18:54

yappysnap wrote:Are we seeing an upward curve in Quins form now?

Yes we lost on the weekend but it was still a far better performance then the majority so far! Just need to sort out the set piece and get Robshaw back now!

Next season we must looking at getting Lowe back to 13 (if that is actually his favoured position now) and getting a 12 that can support him.

We need better second choice prop then lambert too as we're getting routinely munched at scrum time without Marler.

We definitely are. We were far from perfect, but at least we can score tries again and I think we would have beaten most APs sides if we played like that

by ChequeredJersey Tue Dec 30 2014, 18:56

Think we should aim for Devoto or possibly Tom Taylor/Godwin at 12 if they are out of contract

by yappysnap Tue Dec 30 2014, 19:23

Devoto or Scott would be good, Devoto could be a real class act and iirc Scott was very good for Scotland in the past.

As to lambert I just feel he's a third choice squad player who's playing more then he should, perhaps Marfi will come good but we can not afford to hang around as the other top sides get bigger and better packs.

by ChequeredJersey Fri Jan 02 2015, 19:04

On the Offy

Harlequins has announced the squad to play London Welsh in Round 12 of the Aviva Premiership on Sunday at the Kassam Stadium, kick-off 14:30. The match is not being shown on TV.

There are five changes to the squad which played Northampton Saints last week.

In the back three Ollie Lindsay-Hague is named alongside Aseli Tikoirotuma, with Karl Dickson starting at scrum-half.

Joe Gray and Sam Twomey are the two changes in the forwards, starting at hooker and lock respectively.

Among the replacements, Ben Botica and Tom Williams will look to make their return from injury.

Referee: JP Doyle

Harlequins Team
15. Ollie Lindsay-Hague
14. Marland Yarde
13. Matt Hopper
12. George Lowe
11. Aseli Tikoirotuma
10. Tim Swiel
9. Karl Dickson

1. Mark Lambert
2. Joe Gray
3. Will Collier
4. Charlie Matthews
5. Sam Twomey
6. Joe Trayfoot
7. Jack Clifford
8. Nick Easter©

16. Rob Buchanan
17. Darryl Marfo
18. Kyle Sinckler
19. George Merrick
20. James Chisholm
21. Danny Care
22. Ben Botica
23. Tom Williams

by yappysnap Fri Jan 02 2015, 22:14

Good to see Williams back!

We simply must get a bonus point win here, if we don't then that's a big worry.

by yappysnap Sun Jan 04 2015, 14:58

7-0 to Welsh at the moment, could we be the first team to lose to them?

by **Ozzy3213** Mon Jan 05 2015, 18:29

Rumour going around that we've signed Joe Trayfoot from you for next season. Any of you Quins fans heard anything?

by ChequeredJersey Mon Jan 05 2015, 20:09

No but we have backrow strength so possible. Would be sad to see

by yappysnap Mon Jan 05 2015, 20:50

Would be really sad to see him go as he's looked very competent in his first full season for us and without him we're lacking big ball carriers.

He's a good tackler and tight in carrier

by propdavid_london Tue Jan 13 2015, 13:47

Well that was a surprise result on the weekend!
I had a feeling that Quins may have turned a corner after the Saints game. Thats 2 good games on the bounce now, mostly cutting out the silly errors and being more clinical.
Botica showed some real control that we've been missing. Big games from Care, Easter and Brown - but the real positives for me was the continued improvement from Clifford and Lowe after injury. That, and Yarde actually showing a bit of class - hopefully he is finally starting to gel a bit.
Massive game against Wasps next.

by ChequeredJersey Tue Jan 13 2015, 14:12

We can do this

by yappysnap Tue Jan 13 2015, 19:22

Our run in looks pretty fricking tough, I expect us to make top6 but I think top4 may be a result too far.

by propdavid_london Wed Jan 14 2015, 13:08

It isnt the easiest of runs - Could be worse though

Away Wasps
Home Exeter Chiefs
Away Northampton Saints
Home London Irish
Wembley Saracens
Home Gloucester Rugby
Away Sale Sharks
Home Bath Rugby
Away Newcastle Falcons

by propdavid_london Mon Jan 26 2015, 10:00

Well done Quins, needed a performance after that Wasps game and you did all you could to stay in the competition.
Sadly it wasnt enough.
Focus now on the Prem.

by yappysnap Mon Jan 26 2015, 10:38

The problem is we've been here before Prop! We were all saying well done after the Leinster game, or the Tigers or Saints games. But the team then go and follow those up with abject performances.

I'll reserve my praise until we put in two or three good performances on the bounce, away to Castre was too little too late.

Top 6 is now the focus and it's going to be tough!

by propdavid_london Mon Jan 26 2015, 11:31

Yup we have. The whole season has been too inconsistent.
Top 6 s going to be tough - especially with Care, Brown, Marler and Robshaw and now Easter out for a while.
But on a positive, Clifford is looking to be coming into some great form.
Lambert is also in the form of his career it seems and making an impact.
NeV is controling things a lot better than Swiel did.
How far away is Wallace from injury?

by yappysnap Mon Jan 26 2015, 23:09

Not sure about Wallace, hopefully he'll be back to take over from Robshaw. But to be honest a 6. Trayfoot 7. Clifford 8. Easter combination could do pretty well too

by HammerofThunor Tue Jan 27 2015, 14:33

Just seen that Collier is out for the rest of the season.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31002477

by yappysnap Tue Jan 27 2015, 14:52

That's a real shame, collier was going well for us before the injury. Means that until Syncklers fit we only have Marfo on that side. lambert is the other option bit now Marler's away well need him to play loosehead. Hhmmm

by propdavid_london Thu Jan 29 2015, 08:50

Unless Easter stays with England - which is possible if they dont see Haskell as no.8 cover.
Its chucking Marfo in at the deep end a bit but, like with Sinkler it could be the making of him.

by yappysnap Thu Jan 29 2015, 10:02

Let's hope so, especially as PDJ is off at the end of the season, I can't see him making a particular effort for us now if he ever gets fit. What a waste of time he was.

Marfo has the size for propping, and Kingston worked wonders on Johnston before he betrayed us all...

by yappysnap Thu Jan 29 2015, 10:06

On a side note if we do end up either missing out on top 6 or just scraping in this season, would any one like to see a shake up of the coaching team?

To my mind we have a lot of good players and realistically aren't going to get many (bar a centre and prop hopefully) that'll be better then the current ones. But we could hopefully splash out for a new coach to work under CoS that may make a difference.

Quins attack in particular has gone backwards over the last three seasons, and it's been really poor this season in particular. Some of that is down to injuries but even more it's down to poor organisation and basic skills, the passing has been dire between the backs. The pack and the backs don't link up well like they used to, and we very rarely if ever give space to our wingers to attack.

I'd like to see a new backs coach come in, to work specifically on the attacking skills of the players.

by yappysnap Wed Feb 11 2015, 10:20

Just read that Robson is now leaving at the end of the season, seems an odd move especially as it's to Oyannax!

We really need to bring in some more players before the next season.

Right now we've lost:
Paul Doran-Jones
George Robson
Joe Trayfoot

Last season we lost and didn't replace:
Kohn
Kennedy
Molenaar

Out of form and not looking like they'll find it:
JTH
Casson

Injured long term:
Collier

And then Dickson is potentially retiring at the end of the season.

by propdavid_london Wed Feb 11 2015, 11:33

Thats interesting news...bit surprising. Its been a long time since he has been on top form but he has been consistent for Quins.
I guess it might have been on the cards for a while with the news that Horwell is coming in. But Charlie Matthews still hasnt really stepped up yet.
The youngsters arent too bad though - Merrick, cant remember the other ones name! And are we still planning on shunting Minty into the 2nd row and giving that one another shot?

by propdavid_london Wed Feb 11 2015, 11:38

The Quins squad is looking a bit thread bear! They do need to go out and do some serious recruiting. I know thats not normally their policy (as in promoting from academy) but in this instance I think they need to look outside a bit.

Top of the shopping list for me would be -
A big ball carrying centre - to make space for Lowe and our back 3.
Another 9 - if Dickson is retiring, and didnt we loose the young academy 9.
Props - I think are fine, they just need more refining
Another 2nd row (preferably a beefy one).

by yappysnap Wed Feb 11 2015, 11:46

Agree with that list but I do also think we need a better replacement 10 either this season or the one after, we can't wait until Nev retires and then panic about what we're going to do to replace him!

Oh and it's Twomey that's the other lock. Still not sold on any of the academy lads being starters, especially if two youngsters are having to start alongside each other.

by king_carlos Fri Feb 13 2015, 14:04

Could anyone see Dave Ward moving on next season?

From Players' player of the season and England squad member to 3rd choice behind Gray and Buchanan, whilst understandable due to the talent of the later two, has got to be frustrating.

by propdavid_london Fri Feb 13 2015, 15:58

I thought Ward was injured just as Grey and Buchanan were coming back from injury.
This is his first game back for a while now. If he shows his earlier form or last seasons form then he will easily be the starting hooker.

by yappysnap Fri Feb 13 2015, 19:35

I think Ward will be first choice again if his throwing is improved, it's his only real weakness but can be a real frak up at times

by DaveM Sun Feb 15 2015, 23:50

Thrashed by Wasps. Something needs to be changed at Quins, as they just appear to be slipping backwards. It's a shame, because there is so much to admire about the club.

A top quality centre (probably an IC) with real physical presence, and a big ball carrying second row appear the bare minimum to stabilise things.

by yappysnap Mon Feb 16 2015, 20:17

Definitely in trouble at the moment Dave. Not really sure what can be done right now except the players pull up their socks and start actually playing with some conviction.

As you say next season we must get another lock/prop, a flanker and a centre at least.

by DaveM Mon Feb 16 2015, 23:52

You must have some money available I'd have thought?

by propdavid_london Tue Feb 17 2015, 13:58

We have signed Matt Shields - Darlington prop - does anyone know anything about him?

by propdavid_london Tue Feb 17 2015, 13:59

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31503898

by yappysnap Tue Feb 17 2015, 18:12

DaveM wrote:You must have some money available I'd have thought?

Apparently we're almost right up to the cap.

There are a lot of very unhappy sth's at the moment who want to know why we're spending so much on academy boys. Obviously no facts but it does seem like we must be paying too much atm.

by DaveM Tue Feb 17 2015, 23:47

One of the things that can go wrong with being academy focussed (which I think is a good thing in general) is that you end up paying academy players, who don't really progress, too much. A similar thing happened with Arsenal. Academy players need to be in no doubt they have to earn their place in the side (and their salary).

by yappysnap Wed Feb 18 2015, 10:57

I think that's exactly what's happened with us Dave.

Gray, Matthews, Wallace, Botica, Hopper, OLH, R Chisholm, Casson are all in and around the first team week in week out so will be expecting first team wages. But none of them have kicked on like we would like and all are replaceable to my mind. Unfortunately all have either just signed new two year deals or are just completing their first year of new deals.

Obviously we don't see what CoS and co see in training but i'm really surprised with how many palyers we've retained these last two seasons when things have been on the slide.

by yappysnap Wed Feb 18 2015, 11:45

Some good news!

Charlie Walker has signed a new deal to stay at Quins. Great to hear as I rate him really highly and think he'll be very good for us.

by propdavid_london Mon Feb 23 2015, 10:39

Thats all very true Yappy - completely agree.
Perhaps R.Chisholm has been very unlucky with injury. Really not hit the form of 2yrs ago.
Add to that that new singings havent stepped up (Yarde) although I suppose you'd expect a season for him to bed in I suppose.

Kohns retirement really hit quins hard.

by yappysnap Mon Feb 23 2015, 19:35

Losing Kohn, Big Mo and JTH has ruined us, we just have zero go forward these days.

by **LondonTiger** Mon Feb 23 2015, 22:10

yappysnap wrote:Losing Kohn, Big Mo and JTH has ruined us, we just have zero go forward these days.

Add in JJs carrying too. All four played against us in the final you won, and their carrying has never been replaced.

by formerly known as Sam Mon Feb 23 2015, 22:26

I don't think the players you have retained are bad or that they won't come good again. It's just the external recruitment has been all wrong. Two wingers signed last summer and neither cheap. Neither was really required. What Quins were desperate for was a unit in the second row and an abrasive ball carrier at either 6 or centre.

Now heading into next season they need the same. Horwill is only replacing Robson.

by yappysnap Mon Feb 23 2015, 22:32

formerly known as Sam wrote:I don't think the players you have retained are bad or that they won't come good again. It's just the external recruitment has been all wrong. Two wingers signed last summer and neither cheap. Neither was really required. What Quins were desperate for was a unit in the second row and an abrasive ball carrier at either 6 or centre.

Now heading into next season they need the same. Horwill is only replacing Robson.

I agree completely there Sam, the scary thing is that so many fans said that at the time, and yet the management have done nothing. Now we've finally signed a lock only to lose our other experienced one!

We're still crying out for those ball carriers too but I think that's just a pipe dream.

We're seriously screwed if we don't make more signings but I fear we've already blown all our money.

by yappysnap Mon Feb 23 2015, 22:34

LondonTiger wrote:
yappysnap wrote:Losing Kohn, Big Mo and JTH has ruined us, we just have zero go forward these days.

Add in JJs carrying too. All four played against us in the final you won, and their carrying has never been replaced.

Yep he was another we've never replaced, although by the looks of him at Sarries he's regressed now. And add to that list Tom Guest too.

by ChequeredJersey Mon Feb 23 2015, 23:14

my optimism is shattered

by **LondonTiger** Tue Feb 24 2015, 08:28

I agree with Sam - you have some very good players - but recruitment was in the wrong areas.

Silliest decision had to be releasing Molenaar. As things have panned out he has missed most of the season - but when he arrived on the emergency contract he provided the go forward your team needed. That has now been lost again. Of course the complete loss of form from JTH has not helped.

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