"Adds a bit of spice to it" – Stephan Lewies: Harlequins lock eyes up the incoming London derby against Saracens

10/10/2024 03:30 AM

By George Davis

Former Harlequins Club Captain Stephan Lewies emphasised the impact that derby games have on his side, as they prepare to welcome London rivals Saracens to The Stoop on Sunday.

Lewies has re-assumed the captaincy after an injury to current Club Captain Alex Dombrandt and vice-captain Cadan Murley. He is hoping to inspire his side to a first league victory against Saracens since January 2020.

"It’s a derby game and it's massive for us, as a club, for the fanbase, everyone involved really.

"It's another opportunity for us to grow as a team," added the South African.

"We will feel an extra bit of motivation on both sides but it's a new 80 minutes and that's the way we will address it infront of our home fans again, so of course it's something to get excited about."

The second row has also been in contact with former Harlequins lock Hugh Tizard recently, adding extra heat to this weekend’s proceedings.

"I actually messaged Tiz (Hugh Tizard) to say congrats on his 50th cap and he just messaged me a week late to say 'Thanks see you on Sunday' so that all adds a bit of spice to it."

But despite the back and forth between players in the week head coach Danny Wilson know's the threat his side face this weekend will be tough.

"They're a very well coached side full of quality rugby players, although they have lost a few, when you look what they have replaced them with and what’s coming through, there is some real quality there.

"They have always been a strong Premiership team, year in, year out,'  said the former Glasgow Warriors head coach.

"We focus more on ourselves,not just for this game but any game.

"Sometimes you can over focus on the opposition and I think this week is all about making sure we take our learnings from Northampton and put them into the Saracens game, fully aware of what they are capable of and how good they are."

Last time out Quin's were embarrassed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, finishing 52-7 in favour of the North London side, a fact Wilson wants to put behind his team.

"I don't think we did ourselves justice against them last year and we certainly want to do that at home and put in a good performance that our fans can be proud of and that we as a group can be proud of, so hopefully the result will take care of itself."

Despite recent history, Sunday is a chance to wipe the slate clean.

"Certainly I think the history of this derby has gone in Saracen's favour. We all know they are a quality, quality outfit, so you have to be on top of your game full stop,"  added Wilson.

"We want to play a Harlequins brand of rugby and we always want to play our game no matter who we are against, but there are certain things that we are going to have to be aware of to try and play that way.

"We maybe haven't got that quite right in recent times but hopefully this weekend we can show  that we can put that right against a quality outfit."

The post “Adds a bit of spice to it” – Stephan Lewies: Harlequins lock eyes up the incoming London derby against Saracens appeared first on Ruck.