Match Preview: Quins hope to put Racing positives into practice
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Harlequins know they have work to do in Round 4 of the Heineken Champions Cup against Cell C Sharks at Twickenham Stoop on Saturday if they are to qualify for the knockout stages.
Quins have notched only one win so far in the competition and sit seventh in Pool A, the penultimate qualification slot and just two points ahead of ninth-placed Gloucester Rugby.
However, they were able to take plenty of positives away from their narrow 30-29 loss at Racing 92 last week – and will hope to put them into practice against a side who have reached the knockout stages.
Cell C Sharks enjoyed a thumping win in Durban in Round 3, taking Union Bordeaux-Bègles apart 32-3.
The match kicks off at 1pm local time, and can be watched on BT Sport, SuperSport, BT Sport and FloRugby.
Key quote
Harlequins head coach Tabai Matson: “We want to play with tempo; we want to move them around the field. There’s lots to move forward with.”
THE FINAL POOL STAGE ROUND 🚨
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) January 18, 2023
And the last chance to qualify...
Which #HeinekenChampionsCup R4 game will you be watching this weekend? pic.twitter.com/KALKTqE1qn
Harlequins
- André Esterhuizen has made more metres in contact than any other player in this season’s tournament (60).
- Jack Walker missed his target four times in Round 3 – meaning he now has six missed lineouts, as many as any other player in the competition.
- Will Evans has been a nuisance in 18 defensive rucks – more than any other player.
Cell C Sharks
- Siya Kolisi made five offloads in Round 3 – the most of any player.
- Jaden Hendrikse made the joint-most kicks in play in Round 3 with 12. Six of these kicks were retained. No other player was as effective with their kicking.
- Makazole Mapimpi has made a competition-high 292 metres so far this season and has beaten the most defenders (14).
- Vincent Tshituka has won more turnovers than any other player in the tournament (7). Five of these have been won at the ruck.
