Quins next up at Kingston Park

Sunday afternoon sees Newcastle Red Bulls host Harlequins in the battle of the bottom two in the Gallagher Prem. With the disjointed nature of the second half of the season it feels like ages since the last game against Bristol.

Harlequins arrive on Tyneside chasing an eighth place finish and Champions Cup rugby, they currently sit five points behind Gloucester. For Harlequins it’s been a disappointing season not helped by injuries but there’s an unsettled feel around the club which is unusual for Harlequins. 

Quins have 21 players unavailable but can still boast some star quality in their ranks. Lucas Friday looks to have a really exciting future at scrum half, he forms an exciting half back partnership with the mercurial Marcus Smith. Cadan Murley will be looking to get on the end of Marcus Smith’s playmaking ability. In the pack they have Alex Dombrandt and Chandler Cunningham-South who will lead from the front to try and give Quins a platform. It’s a bit of a surprise to see Jack Kenningham and Will Evans on the bench but they’ll look to add energy and a nuisance vibe at the breakdown.

Quins will more than likely look to play loose, the challenge for Red Bulls is can they cope with this when Quins go wide as they’ve looked very vulnerable defending the wide channels.

Red Bulls are looking to finish the season in the best way possible albeit with not much to play for. People have said what’s the motivation? Professional players shouldn’t need motivation, yes a lot won’t be here next season but I don’t think for one second that any player goes on that pitch thinking they can’t be bothered. 

Red Bulls have sixteen players unavailable, the good news is George McGuigan is back to lead the side following injury and packs down alongside Adam Brocklebank and Micky Rewcastle. The second row sees Jamie Hodgson and Finn Baker combine. Tom Gordon and Tom Christie provide the experience alongside Reuben Parsons who has been excellent recently in his breakthrough season, he reminds me of Mark Wilson and looks to have the attributes to have a good future at the club.

Simon Benitez Cruz and Brett Connon are back together at half back. Sammy Arnold returns to the side at inside centre with Alex Hearle outside him. The back three concerns and excites me in equal measures, Christian Wade, Elliott Obatoyinbo and Josh Hodge are a really exciting attacking unit but defensively look weak.

On the bench Ollie Fletcher, Connor Hancock and Murray McCallum cover the front row. Freddie Clarke who has looked good following injury and Amanaki Mafi who was explosive off the bench last time out cover the back five. The backs are covered by James Elliott, Ben Healy and Ethan Grayson. 

Despite their injury problems Quins are a more than capable side and will be disappointed with their season. Red Bulls will look to win the battle up front to give them a platform to give the Stephen Jones drilled attack a chance to go. Expect Sammy Arnold to be used to create the platform and space for Obatoyinbo, Hodge and Wade to go free. Hopefully there’s a bit more variation as at times it has felt like give Wade the ball and see what happens.