Wilson: Our test is to back up victory over Bordeaux
NEVER mind the 50-22, it is the 80-20 that is commanding the attention of Harlequins as they enter the final six weeks of the season fighting on two fronts.
Quins will get their first taste of a Champions Cup semi-final next month when they travel to Toulouse, but before that they face Sale at the AJ Bell Stadium this afternoon and fellow European travellers Northampton at Twickenham on Saturday.
Harlequins have the reputation of a free-running side that scores tries from everywhere, but they rocked Bordeaux-Begles by taking them on up front and in the contact area and won at Sale last season by keeping the game tight and kicking for position and goal. They landed five penalties that evening but in the three games before and the three following the victory, did not record one.
“We have an identity, but to be consistent and win competitions you have to be able to do some things in a different way,” said Danny Wilson, below, the Quins head coach. “We are an 80-20 team. The 80 per cent is what we are but the other 20 is about change, adjusting a few things to take into account the opposition. If you are able to do that consistently, it will lead to results.
“We knew that we had to have a go against Bordeaux-Begles, not play a game of chess with them. We watched their game against Saracens and created a gameplan based on who we were facing.
“Top sides back up performances and we know we are going to have to be at our best against Sale. We enjoyed the victory in Bordeaux, but we could have made it more secure and know we have lots of work to do.” Quins started the current round of matches in fourth, but such is the tightness of the league from first to eight that, depending on yesterday’s results, they could find themselves replacing the Sharks in eighth position by the end of the day.
“If you are off by five per cent, you are in real trouble in the Premiership,” said Wilson. “You have seen it so many times this season. Our two bombshell games came against the same team (Saracens) but we reacted well to the one last month and have to find consistency.
“The test for us is to back up last week because that is what good teams do. Sale will be a different challenge and we know their qualities. They are very physical and are second in the league for turnovers in collisions. A win would do us the world of good going into the last three rounds.”
Joe Marler returns at loosehead for Quins who change their entire front row but leave the rest of the pack and backline from Bordeaux intact. Danny Care is on the bench.