Quins look to polish off French

Chris Jones13 April 2012

Leicester and Harlequins will attempt an English clean sweep of Europe's top club trophies this weekend as a seemingly endless season finally reaches its conclusion.

Martin Johnson and his Leicester Tigers face Stade Francais at the Parc des Princes tomorrow in the Heineken Cup Final and Quins tackle Narbonne in the climax of the European Shield at the Madejski Stadium in Reading on Sunday.

French clubs have viewed both competitions - rugby's equivalent of the Champions League and UEFA Cup - as their areas of control. However, this season has seen a change on the back of England's unbeaten seven-game run at international level and it is the French who are under pressure.

Johnson's Tigers, who storm into their final as Zurich Premiership and play-off champions, are more than equipped to pull off an amazing treble before he leads the Lions on tour to Australia.

David Wilson and his Quins team-mates have been the surprise package of the Shield competition and overcame serious injury problems to earn their meeting with a Narbonne team who possess the most fearsome pack in France.

This has been a strange season for the London club, starting with an awful league run that put them in danger of relegation.

They then burst into life, climbed the table, were unlucky to lose to Newcastle in the Tetley's Bitter Cup Final and kept making progress in the Shield against all the odds.

This remarkable change in fortunes has coincided with the arrival of Wilson, a member of the Australian 1999 World Cup-winning team. Although fellow Wallaby Pat Howard has won all the plaudits for his outstanding work at Leicester, Wilson has been just as influential on the English scene.

Every post-match media conference has seen opponents acknowledging the world-class back-row play of Wilson and his remarkable ability to win turnover ball or slow down opposition possession.

Wilson's particular skills mean his body is put at the mercy of considerable retribution from the studded feet of frustrated opponents.

Narbonne will have noted Wilson's ability to be in the wrong place at the right time and will want to inflict early punishment on the Quins captain.

The French club will attempt to intimidate Quins out of the match and it is certain that the initial flashpoint will need strong handling by Welsh referee Nigel Whitehouse to prevent the game turning into a rough house.

With Jason Leonard, who is set to sign a new contract, and Keith Wood in the front row and lock Garrick Morgan, who is big enough to stand toe-to-toe with Narbonne's 20st Olivier Merle, Quins have a pack that belies their City-slicker image.

Ireland outside-half Paul Burke returns from a broken finger and his goal-kicking will be a vital factor in what should be a torrid battle.

Quins have studied videos of their opponents and want referee Whitehouse to crack down on Narbonne.

Head coach Mark Evans said: "The Narbonne scrum is very strong, but from what we have seen they have been allowed to charge into the engagement, which is not exactly within the laws of the game.

"Clearly, we are looking at how to counter this but would also hope to get some support from the match officials."

Meanwhile, Harlequins are expected to confirm the signing of England international wing Dan Luger next week as they reveal next season's squad that will also include former Saracens players Tony Diprose and Bill Davison.

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