HARLEQUINS ARE DEVELOPING a pleasing habit of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat in recent weeks.
Having trailed 28-26 to London Irish at the Madejski Stadium, thanks to a late Ian Humphreys penalty, Tom Casson dived over for a controversial try to keep Quins top of the Premiership.
They defeated Gloucester at The Stoop to maintain that position before Ben Botica proved the hero in a 31-30 LV Cup win over Northampton Saints.
Conor O’Shea’s side were 30-24 down going into the last two minutes when the New Zealand out-half burrowed in under the posts and duly added the conversion.
O’Shea told TheScore.ie, “You should never say you deserve anything. This game is all about a bit of luck and a lot of belief.
It’s important for a team like ourselves, and how we are trying to play. When you hold onto the ball, like we do, you are going to create chances.
“You just need the belief.”
Genuine contenders
Having coached Harlequins to the league title last season, O’Shea believes the emergence of players like Botica and Casson have elevated his team into one that can threaten on three fronts this season.
O’Shea commented, “When Nev [Nick Evans] was out, Ben stepped in. He is comfortable on the ball, kicks his goals and has good decision-making.”
Players such as Danny Care and Mike Brown have flourished under the Irishman’s stewardship but their stand-out performer this season, particularly in the Heineken Cup, is a 34-year-old that played his last game for England at the 2011 World Cup.
“Nick Easter came late to the game in terms of professionalism,” said O’Shea. “We have to manage him a little bit.
“We’d like him to be playing international rugby but who knows what could happen if he keeps playing the way he is.”
Proving ground
Harlequins take on Bath at The Stoop tonight before facing the same opponents in the league next weekend.
Flanker Luke Wallace will captain Quins for the second time and O’Shea, speaking to TheScore.ie before he flew out to Abu Dhabi on a youth coaching trip, has highlighted the 22-year-old as a future international star.
He said, “Captaincy is about attitude and reading the game. It’s about being a student of the game and the sport. Luke Wallace and Chris [Robshaw] will be fighting for the 7 jersey.”
“He will develop into a superb player.”
Chris Robshaw has emerged as a contender for the British & Irish Lions captaincy. (©INPHO/Billy Stickland)
Robshaw, O’Shea explains, would welcome Wallace’s input to team matters while relishing the challenge for his jersey.
“Chris is an outstanding leader but captaincy isn’t about doing just one job,” he said.
“You have to be comfortable letting others run things on the pitch but, at the same time, everyone knows there is one leader on the pitch. You have to delegate without feeling you are losing your authority.”
If you asked him he would say that he was focused on Australia, focused on the next game. Even if he was considering it he would never let on.”
Asked if he would be tempted to follow his players out to Hong Kong and Australia on the Lions coaching ticket, O’Shea affirms his loyalty to Harlequins.
“Gats [Warren Gatland] will talk to me about players like Chris, Danny and Nick but they will be well covered in the coaching department,” he said.
Elsewhere in the LV Cup
Sale Sharks take on Saracens at Salford City Stadium.
There are a slew of cup fixtures tomorrow, including Gloucester versus London Welsh and visits of Ospreys and Cardiff Blues to Exeter Chiefs and Llanelli Scarlets respectively.
Leicester Tigers play London Irish at Welford Road on Sunday wile Wasps and Worcester Warriors, and Northampton Saints’ away date with Newport Gwent Dragons rounding out the weekend’s action.
