Munster have been in poor form recently and an almighty task stands between them and the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup.
Today’s quarter-final opponents Harlequins go into today’s game at The Stoop as clear favourites but what can Rob Penney and his team expect from the English side?
Form
Reigning Aviva Premiership champions, Harlequins are currently well placed in this season’s competition, occupying third spot behind Saracens and Leicester Tigers.
In the Heineken Cup pool stage, Harlequins were drawn in Connacht’s pool and showed their strength by being one of just two teams to win every pool game in this season’s competition.
In fact the London-based side were the top ranked team in the competition’s pool stage, picking up four bonus points as they qualified for the quarter-finals with ease.
However, domestically their form has tailed off dramatically. Quins have lost their last three Premiership games, last tasting victory against Sale Sharks towards the end of February.
Their form at the Stoop will be of interest to Rob Penney due to the fact that Quins have home advantage. And in nine home games in this season’s Premiership, they have emerged victorious six times.
Key men
New Zealander Nick Evans is the top point scorer in the Aviva Premiership this season with 218 points to his name. The 32-year-old fly-half has been a leading figure for the team since his arrival in 2008, and has kicked 25 from 31 in this season’s Heineken Cup – a rate of 80 per cent.
His deputy and compatriot Ben Botica has also been an impressive kick-taker when called upon.
Harlequins’ biggest try-scoring threats will be scrum-half Danny Care and pacey winger Ugo Monye.
Both have scored five tries domestically this season. Care, in particular, has been a major threat, getting four tries in the Heineken Cup, including both of Quins’ tries away to Connacht in a 30 – 22 win in October.
Leadership will come from last season’s Aviva Player of the Year Chris Robshaw. The England captain and flanker is a vital presence for Harlequins and his importance was underlined last week by the fact that he was rested for the 17 - 15 defeat to Gloucester last weekend to save him for key encounters to come such as the clash with Munster.
©INPHO/James Crombie
