Sale Sharks circle the rampant Quins

Two teams guaranteed a semi-final berth will lock horns to open Round 21 this weekend when Harlequins travel to the AJ Bell where Sale Sharks lie in wait. 

Sale pulled off a victory in Round 20 which will greatly fuel their confidence going forward – a 22-12 result against the log-leading Bristol Bears. A richly competitive first half saw the teams jog off to the sheds at the break with no score on the board. The game took on a new gear in the second stanza, however, and Sale showed what a dangerous outfit they can be. 

Quins did the business against Bath at the Twickenham Stoop, 44-33, thereby securing their semi-final spot for the first time in seven years. Bath’s various attempts to snatch the result were shut down by Quins who dominated most of the proceedings.  

It was Quins who came out on top the last time the sides met, which was in Round 10 at the Twickenham Stoop. Quins set a platform for their victory with a brilliant first half performance and a solid defensive effort forced Sale into a multitude of errors.