Heineken Cup - Harlequins v Leinster (Sunday 12th April)
Published: 08/04/2009
Harlequins v Leinster
Current Form
- Both Harlequins and Leinster are second in their respective leagues, and this meeting of two in form teams is an exciting prospect.
- Harlequins have lost just once in their last 6 games, and last week impressively won away at the Rec, 16-3.
- Leinster have also only lost once in their last 6 games, last week, after a run of 7 consecutive victories. The loss came at the hands of leaders and Heineken Cup holders Munster who won 22-5, holding Leinster to a solitary Gordon D’Arcy try.
- In the pool stages both teams topped their groups, with Harlequins proving on their day they can beat anyone, having done the double over Stade Francais.
History
- These teams have never met before in the Heineken Cup.
- This is the 3rd occasion Harlequins have reached the quarter finals, but the first time since 1998. Leinster however, have a better European track record, but on numerous occasions have failed to do it when it counted despite showing great promise. Leinster have reached the semi finals three times, but last year failed to progress from the pool stages.
Trends and Trivia
- Harlequins and Leinster have a very similar attacking record in this year’s competition with Harlequins scoring 16 tries, and Leinster one less. Both teams scored the majority of their tries in the first half and for both teams 3 of their tries have come through the forwards.
- Defensively Leinster have been sensational this year, conceding just 2 tries and a penalty try in their 6 games. Harlequins conceded 12 tries in the group stages, an average of 2 per game, and 1 lower than the competition average. 7 of those tries were conceded at the Stoop, in total they have conceded more points at home than away. A worrying statistic for Harlequins is that 5 of their 12 conceded tries have come in the first 10 minutes – something they will need to address if they are to win on Saturday.
- Quins have two representatives in the top 20 try scorers in this competition, in Tom Williams (4) and Jordan Turner-Hall (3). The battle between the youngster Turner-Hall and the veteran O’Driscoll (4 tries) is a highly anticipated event in this match.
- Harlequins and Leinster have been two of the most consistent teams in terms of the players they have used this campaign. Leinster have started just 21 different players (2nd lowest) and Quins have started 22 different players (joint 3rd lowest).
- The Harlequins squad has the joint lowest average age in the competition (26), where as Leinster have the joint oldest average age (29), although interestingly Leinster have fielded 4 players 21 or under to Harlequins 1 – Jordan Turner-Hall.
- In the all time top try scorers, 2 Leinster men are joint 3rd in Brian O’Driscoll and Shane Horgan – both will be looking to edge ahead of the other and towards Dafydd James’ record.
The referee for Sunday’s game is Welsh Nigel Owens, who has issued 4 yellow cards in the 6 pool games he oversaw, 3 of which went to the home side. Both teams have had 3 players sent off this so far this campaign
