Skipper urges Quins to relax as history knocks
HARLEQUINS skipper Chris Robshaw has urged his troops to adopt a no-fear attitude as they attempt to claim their first Aviva Premiership title by beating Leicester tomorrow.
Quins scraped through a semi-final against Northampton 25-23 thanks to a 76th minute push-over try by prop Joe Marler, which was converted by fly-half Nick Evans.
Harlequins trailed Saints for the majority of the game two weeks ago and Robshaw admits the pressure of knock-out rugby got to his side.
Standing between Robshaw’s men and a maiden English league title are the nine-times champions Leicester, who beat them 43-33 at the Stoop last month.
But with the squad having recharged their batteries in Abu Dhabi last week, the England captain is sure his side have what it takes to lift the trophy, as long as they can control their nerves.
“It [the semi-final] was a nervy occasion and did it get the better of us? Probably, but at the end we kept a bit of composure and managed to get that driving maul over and Nick Evans thankfully slotted the points,” said Robshaw.
“Hopefully we’ll be a bit more relaxed [in the final]. None of us have been in one of these finals before, so it’s new for us all and it’s going to be a very exciting time.
“The trip last week helped; it allowed us to relax. We got good quality training in but we were allowed to let our hair down and have barbeques and do these sorts of things. The squad was always close but I think it’s now a bit closer and it’s given us that little lift.”
Quins’ consistent form has been built on home-grown talents such as Robshaw, who says that contesting cup finals with his long-standing friends is as good as it gets.
“It is special to go out there and play with guys I was playing with when I was 17, 18 years old; Mike Brown, George Robson – these kind of guys,” he added.
“We will make sure we turn up and can’t be afraid to lose.”
HARLEQUINS
Record | This season
Won 17; Drawn 1; Lost 4;
For 526; Against 389
Tries scored 53; Conceded 33
Points 75; Position 1st
Record | All time
Premiership titles: 0
English Cup: 2
Euro Challenge Cup: 2
Nat Division One: 1
LEICESTER TIGERS
Record | This season
Won 15; Drawn 1; Lost 6;
For 647; Against 475
Tries scored 70; Conceded 45
Points 74; Position 2nd
Record | All time
Premiership titles: 9
English Cup: 6
Heineken Cup: 2