Exiles expecting tough stuff from the Quins

Sparks are sure to fly at the Brentford Community Stadium on Sunday as defending champions Quins battle it out with the Exiles to close out the round. 

Quins enjoyed a bye last week and will thus take the field well-rested while Exiles found themselves on the receiving end of fine display by the Northampton Saints: 

Quins’ last action saw them Brush Bristol aside 38-29 at Ashton Gate: 

Quins are looking good in third spot in the log with a total of 63 points, 6 ahead of fourth-placed Exeter Chiefs.  

Exiles are level on points with Saints (53) and just one behind Gloucester and will have to dig deep from here on out if they are to have any chances of breaking into the top 4. 

The last time the teams met was in Round 9 and a close contest with Exiles taking the honours by 3 points:

This from Bristol attack coach Nick Evans:

“It’s been a good start to the week, everyone’s excited for Sunday. Having the England guys come back in gives everyone a bit of a lift, it’s great to have them back and they’re all chomping at the bit to be back involved."

Declan Kidney is expecting a massive contest:

“We played them twice last year and the second time around was a bit of a turning point for them, scoring a last minute try and they kicked on and bought into it,” he said.

“Winning breeds confidence, so when they came out strong in the final stages all credit was due to them. 

“If you do something like that, it gives great belief, particularly since they are a young side with plenty of room for growth- not too dissimilar from ourselves. 

“We always respect the opposition and pay good attention to Harlequins, but it is about getting ourselves right now. 

“From our last game, I think that is where we let ourselves and our fans down most, and we could have done better with things that we can control.”