Pool stragglers Harlequins face Euro showdown
HARLEQUINS flyer Charlie Walker says the departure of Marland Yarde has given him a new lease of life as he aims to back-up last week’s superb trydouble against Saracens.
With Quins facing mustwin matches against Ulster to keep their Champions Cup hopes alive, Walker’s heroics last Sunday have provided a base to build on. Walker, 24, told The
Rugby Paper: “We don’t really talk about it anymore because Marland’s moved on now, but I’ve always wanted that starting slot and hopefully Tim Visser and I will continue together for quite a while. “It’s frustrating when you’re competing with someone and playing a game here and there because you put yourself under pressure, so it’s good to be getting a run of games and we’re both scoring tries, which is what we’re picked to do.” Walker starts for a Harlequins side that shows three changes, with Kyle Sinckler and Charlie Matthews coming into the tight-five for injured Will Collier (shoulder) and James Horwill (knee) and Marcus Smith ousting James Lang at No.10. Quins are bottom of their Champions Cup Pool after losses to Wasps and La Rochelle, leaving little margin for error. “It’s knock-out rugby now,” says Walker, “but as a group that’s something we pride ourselves on and we’ve been to places like Munster and Stade Francais in the past and won.
“If we can get past Ulster today we’ll be confident of going to Belfast next week and getting another result to put ourselves right back into contention.”
Ulster are without their captain, Lions hooker Rory Best, but Tommy Bowe returns to start at outsidecentre, influential Iain Henderson is recalled at blindside and Bristolbound All Black Charles Piutau, left, offers a huge threat from full-back.
Walker added: “You look at players like Piutau, Bowe and Christian Lealiiafano and they’re guys who live for big competitions like the Champions Cup. But we’re at the Stoop, where we’ll back ourselves against anyone at any time.
“We had a great win last weekend and the supporters are backing us with another full house, so it’s important we follow that up.
“We disappointed ourselves in the first two rounds by losing to Wasps and La Rochelle, but we’re determined to give it a crack.”
An Ulster win would strengthen their qualification chances immeasurably, but the Irish side’s head coach Les Kiss is under pressure after seeing his side concede 11 tries in their last three matches.
Kiss said: “It’s a massive game but phase two of our season starts here and we are desperate to progress in the Champions Cup.
“We know Harlequins will bring huge intensity so we’ll have to match that and our attitude has to be spot on if we’re to get the win.”