Can Quins stop the Sarries express?

By Peter Moore

Gallagher Premiership Rugby Preview

Harlequins vs Saracens

Undoubtedly the pick of this weeks Premiership fixtures must be the mouth-watering prospect of Harlequins vs Saracens at the Stoop, a London derby among many other things.

Quins go into the game on the back of their first away Premiership victory for almost a year after defeating Gloucester 27-25, thanks to two tries from Nathan Earle. Sarries sit proudly at the top of the Table after making it five wins out of five last week with a 50-27 win against visiting Bath at Allianz Park.

Despite picking up only two wins in the Premiership so far, Harlequins have at least picked up a point or more in every game so far. The visitors can boast five straight wins, all with at least a winning bonus point in every game played.

Quins victory last weekend ended a three-game losing run, but the hosts will be looking to register just their third win at the Stoop in Premiership Rugby since December.

Saracens have now won an astonishing twelve successive Premiership games, the last eleven scoring four or more tries in each. Sarries have also not been defeated since Leinster knocked them out of the European Champions Cup in Dublin in April.

Mike Brown will make his 300^th appearance for Harlequins this Saturday. The full-back is part of a back line which includes scrum-half Danny Care, who is one game away from 250 club appearances. USA International Paul Lasike starts at inside centre. Lasike, a former NFL fullback with the Chicago Bears, replaces Ben Tapuai, who is rested.

Saracens go into Saturday’s encounter by naming six changes for the trip to the Stoop.

Brad Barritt misses out after having an operation on a facial injury picked up against Bath. Nick Tompkins comes in at 13 with Alex Lozowski moving to inside centre.

Wingers Alex Lewington and David Strettle are named in the starting 15 and there is also a start for England International Ben Spencer. In the past Harlequins have had a habit of upsetting the odds against Sarries, and Saturday might just be another one of those occasions.

The eagerly awaited game can be seen in the USA live on NBC prime time Kick Off 14:30 Eastern Time

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