Salary cap backdrop will add edge to derby
Today’s derby is likely to have some added spice. Harlequins and Saracens are hardly the best of friends, but the report in The Times this week saying that Harlequins assembled a dossier for Andrew Rogers, the Premiership Rugby salary cap manager, outlining Saracens’ rule breaches, is unlikely to improve relations.
For the Harlequins players, the past few weeks have been surreal. “It is strange [that they won’t be in the league next season]. I can’t imagine your 10 internationals are going to make the journey to Castle Park and play Doncaster away,” Harlequins flanker James Chisholm said. “Whatever happens, the punishment fits the crime, so to speak. Hopefully the international players will still be able to play Test rugby.”
Chisholm, billed by Harlequins head of rugby Paul Gustard as “our outstanding player of the last three to four weeks”, points to Harlequins’ relegation over a decade ago as proof that dropping down can be a good thing, giving younger players an opportunity to break into the first team.
What about the England internationals with their eyes on the British and Irish Lions tour, and not so keen on playing away in Penzance? Despite the geographical rivalry, Chisholm acknowledges, if the fit was right, why not bring those Saracens players in?
“If it is feasible, and those internationals need to go on loan, you would welcome them with open arms, like any good player coming to this club, whether from Saracens or Sale or South Africa,” he said. “It is not the lads’ fault what has happened. If we are going to sign international players, why not guys from up the road? We are looking to improve the club, improve as players and ultimately the coaches with their signings are looking to do the same.”
Gustard spent a decade at Saracens as a player and coach but this week he met any questions about his former club’s crisis with a straight bat.
“They have been found guilty of something and face the consequences,” he said. “I am a Harlequins coach now, and the only thing I think about is Harlequins winning.”
There is enough on the field for Harlequins to be worried about anyway, such as the lack of fit centres, with the promising Luke Northmore now ruled out with an ankle injury. South Africa centre Andre Esterhuizen, announced as a new signing on Friday, will add some bulk to their midfield when he arrives next season.
Back row is less of an issue, with Chisholm joined today by captain Chris
Robshaw and the impressive Alex Dombrandt, with the latter having been overlooked by England.
While admittedly a touch early in the season to be thinking about top four, victory today would put Harlequins, five points adrift, back in the play-off picture, having given Top 14 juggernaut Clermont a good rattle in the Champions Cup last week.
That said, the priority is undoubtedly to land a punch on the nose of their nearest rival after Saracens’ tumultuous week.
“We don’t need the extra motivation,” Chisholm said. “It is such a big derby day, they have such a legacy. For the past few seasons we have not been up the top. Ask the lads which game they are most looking forward to, they probably say the ‘Big Game’ and then Saracens at home.”