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Former England fullback tips Harlequins for Premiership glory
By Stefan Frost
Mike Brown has predicted that Harlequins will reclaim the Gallagher Premiership title ahead of their semi-final matchup against London rivals Saracens next weekend.
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The reigning champions were the surprise success story of last season, but face a tough task against Mark McCall’s men who are looking to add a sixth league title to their trophy cabinet.
Despite their credentials, Brown believes Saracens will be bested by his former team in what he has called the “match of the weekend”.
“Confidence is Harlequins’ super strength and they don’t believe that anyone can beat them,” Brown wrote for the Mail on Sunday. “When I played for Quins, our matches [with Saracens] were usually close until the second half, when they unloaded a bench full of international players.
“It left a bit of a bitter taste, so there was always some added spice. Those game were always a step up in intensity. Danny Care and Billy Vunipola were at each other’s throats. We celebrated those wins more than any others because we respected how strong their squad was.”
No longer are Saracens the firm favourite in this fixture. Only last season the North Londoners were rooted in the Championship, suffering as a result of salary cap breaches. They were forced to watch from afar as Harlequins overcame the Exeter Chiefs 40-38 at Twickenham to end their nine-year wait for Premiership silverware.
This time around Saracens have a stake in the action and if they are to usurp Tabai Matson’s side, Brown believes composure and game management hold the keys to their success.
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“If Saracens can knock Harlequins a few per cent off their game then they have the ruthless efficiency to punish them. I think this year’s Premiership winner is going to come from the London side of the draw. Both teams have been there and done it in the last few leagues and I think the winner will lift the trophy.”
The London derby is matched by the East Midlands derby on the other side of the semi-final draw, as the Leicester Tigers prepare to host the Northampton Saints.
“Both games will be a real clash of styles. You have got the pragmatism of Leicester and Saracens against the expansiveness of Northampton and Harlequins.
“I love watching Northampton play. They are evolving an identity of offloading, high tempo and running from everywhere. With home advantage though, it is hard to see Leicester losing. If Saints overplay there, which they can be guilty of, they will play straight into Leicester’s hands.”
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Brown went on to add that the set piece dominance which Leicester have developed under head coach Steve Borthwick will prove too much for Northampton to handle. However, the fly half thinks the Tigers will ultimately meet their match in the final.
“That may sound harsh on Leicester but they look more beatable than they did at the start of the season. I’m going for a Leicester-Quins final — a repeat of 2012 — and I know too well to never bet against my old team.”
