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The opening match of the 2022 Gallagher Premiership Play-Offs, is the hotly anticipated London derby, as Saracens take on reigning champions Harlequins.
Saracens seem to have had Harlequins’ number this season, as they have come away victorious in all three meetings throughout the 2021/22 campaign. Wins at both the Stoop and Stone X in the Gallagher Premiership, along with a Group Stage victory in the Premiership Rugby Cup, has established favouriting expectations for Mark McCall’s men. In their returning Premiership season, Saracens finished second, and have performed as many expected, and reminded as to why they have won five Premiership titles since the 2010/11 season.
However, if recent play-off performances have taught us anything, it is to never count out the Quins.
This time last year, Harlequins were relative outsiders after finishing fourth. Bristol Bears and Exeter Chiefs were expected to meet in the final, after dictating a dominant two-horse race throughout the season. However, Harlequins fought back from a 28-0 deficit to defeat Bristol in an astonishing semi-final, before overthrowing the Chiefs in dramatic style, to lift the trophy at Twickenham.
Ahead of this Saturday’s early kick off, lets take a retrospective look at the three previous encounters this season.
31/10/21 Gallagher Premiership: Harlequins 22-29 Saracens
Saracens played an impressive second half spell on Harlequins, to steal a late victory on Halloween night. A 19-9 half time lead was achieved, as Hugh Tizard, Cadan Murley and Tyrone Green all crossed over in the first 40 minutes. Yet in a style akin to Quins, Saracens fought back for a last-ditched victory. An immediate response from Dom Morris kickstarted the comeback, with Alex Lowzowski kicking Sarries level to 22-22. Jackson Wray’s bruising carry secured a 76th minute winner for the away side.
13/11/21 Premiership Rugby Cup: Saracens 28 – 21 Harlequins
A similarly close encounter followed in the Premiership Rugby Cup. Typically a competition for utilising young and newly signed talent, the Stone X Stadium was treated to an exciting contest from the next generation of Quins and Sarries players. Second Rower Theo McFarland scored twice to secure the win, in what was the Samoan International’s first start for Saracens.
13/02/22 Gallagher Premiership: Saracens 19 – 10 Harlequins
This match saw Harlequins continue their losing streak when playing Saracens away from home. The Quins have failed to record a single away win against Saracens since 2012, with the record keeping in-tact in this February fixture. Tom Woolstencroft crashed over at five minutes, before Sean Maitland secured a try of his own. Alex Lozowski’s accurate kicking kept the daylight between the London rivals.
End of Season Form.
Both Saracens and Harlequins finished the regular seasons with defeats, however it was clear to see which side was fully committed to securing a victory on the final day of league action.
Harlequins travelled to Devon with a full-strength squad, and battled valiantly against a driven Exeter Chiefs team, who secured a 47-38 home win in a 13 thriller. The hits were hard at Sandy Park, as the Chiefs had pent-up frustration from a seventh placed finish, and a disappointing European campaign. This comes after Exeter reached the final last season, and were the unstoppable double champions of 2020.
Harlequins Head Coach Tabai Matson will hope that his decision to run out his first choice stars, despite having third place secured, will not negatively impact the semi-final this weekend. On the surface, there were no visible injuries for the Quins, with the match even hosting the long-term injury returns of Tyrone Green and Aaron Morris.
Saracens were resoundingly beaten by a Gloucester side, who were desperately trying to qualify for the play-offs. It could certainly be argued that with their play off spot secured, Saracens did not want their international stars to injure themselves, in what was a physically dominant display from the Cherry and Whites. Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, Billy and Mako Vunipola were among the noticeable absentees who no-showed the thrashing 54-7 loss at Kingsholm.
Ones to watch: Ben Earl and Andre Esterhuizen
With 331 completed tackles this season, Ben Earl tops the Premiership charts for defensive work rate. Despite not being noticed by Eddie Jones who continues to leave Earl out of the England squad, the Saracens flanker received the attention of the league, and won the Gallagher Premiership Player of the Year Award.
A true workhorse who prides himself on his defensive strengths, Earl can also make quite an impact with the ball in hand. Scoring eight tries this season, Earl has been a proven asset in attack, as much as he is in defence. Earl narrowly tips Andre Esterhuizen to the league’s top prize on votes.
‘Andre the Giant’ has certainly had another impressive season for Harlequins, since joining from Munakata Sanix Blues in 2020. The 28-year old earned himself the RPA Player’s Player of the Year Award, as voted by the Gallagher Premiership players. Esterhuizen is revered amongst the league for his bruising carries, and for having deceptive pace for his size.
The South African has rightfully established himself as the Quins first choice for centre, scoring eight tries this season. His line-breaking consistency in either the 12 or 13 shirt, could only be matched by Sale’s Manu Tuilangi. Yet having started all 23 league matches, and playing an average of 77 minutes per game, Esterhuizen eclipses Tuilangi for longevity.
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