Match Preview: Harlequins have loads of confidence for Stade Toulousain test
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Harlequins flanker Will Evans has warned Stade Toulousain that the Gallagher Premiership side are full of confidence as they approach a second successive match against French opposition, in Round 2 of the Investec Champions Cup on Sunday at Twickenham Stoop.
The London club have been boosted by their thrilling 31-28 triumph at TOP 14 leaders Racing 92 last weekend, which was a rare win in France for them, along with their domestic form, where they lie third.
Evans told Ruck: “All 14 of them (TOP 14 sides) are really, really strong. They have a bigger budget than a lot of the Premiership sides.
“But last weekend we showed that we can beat the very best of them, so it doesn’t really matter who we come up against, especially at home. We feel like we’re a real force. We’ll rock up at the Stoop and try to get five points.
“We’re high on confidence because we’ve played nine really solid games. We’re one point off top of the league and we’ve just won our first game in Europe, so there’s loads of confidence.”
Harlequins also carried a round-high total of 651 metres last Sunday and beat 42 defenders, 13 more than any other team in Round 1.
However, Stade Toulousain, while only mid-table in the TOP 14, unleashed all their power last Saturday as they demolished Cardiff Rugby 52-7 at the Stade Ernest Wallon to storm to the top of Pool 2.
The record five-time winners averaged more metres per carry than any other team in Round 1 (4.9) and made a round-high 17 clean breaks.
The game starts at 15:15GMT and is being broadcast on TNT Sports, beIN SPORTS, France TV, FloRugby and SuperSport.
