We’re ready for big finish, says Millard

By BEN JAYCOCK

Harlequins face the toughest run-in of the Premiership’s top four contenders and director of rugby Billy Millard knows he must shore up his side’s leaky defence.

The league’s entertainers face last season’s finalists Sale next Sunday afternoon at the Salford Stadium before facing Northampton in their big match at Twickenham.

They then face sixth-place Exeter at Sandy Park in the penultimate round – who have lost at home just once in the Premiership this term – before Harlequins finish their regular season at home to top four dark horses Bristol, who are flying off the back of four consecutive wins.

Fourth-place Quins are two points clear of fifth-place Bristol as the Premiership enters its final block of games and Millard says his side face four knockout fixtures.

He told The Rugby Paper: “The table is so tight and there’s so many good teams, so not just us but any side that is not on the metal for a period of a game can get themselves into trouble. The four teams we’re playing are all very good, so it’s important we get our preparation right as it’s a big finish to our season.”

The flair of half-backs Marcus Smith and Danny Care, combined with a silky back three and forwards that possess deft handling mean Quins are a force in attack. However, their leaky defence has been exposed in recent weeks with a 52-7 thumping at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium by Saracens followed by a 40-36 victory over Bath, where they had 40-3 lead but surrendered 33 unanswered points in the final half hour.

Millard added: “We haven’t had a lead like that against a good side for a long time. When you’re down to 14 and then 13 men that gave us a nudge to learn how to play with a man down because when Finn Russell’s kicking the corners, getting 50:22s we got ourselves into trouble. The way we defended against a solid Glasgow team last weekend showed we learned some lessons in closing games out with a big defensive set. It’s all about consistency, in particular when under serious stress because all the teams can have their moments in matches.

“They can do it as we showed against Glasgow, where we ended with a man less but it’s about defensive consistency and that’s our real focus going into the end of the season.”

Jackal specialist Will Evans has earned plaudits for his performances in recent weeks with his ability over the ball unrivalled in the Premiership and Millard believes that Steve Borthwick should take a look at the 27-yearold flanker, who is in blistering form on his return from a hamstring tear but has yet to enter the England fray.

Bursting through: Will Evans runs in a try for Quins against Ulster

“He can definitely make the jump up to Test level, he showed that against an all-Scottish back row last week when we was unbelievable,” said Millard.

“He’s a warrior, a player we have to look after each week because of where he puts his body but I’ve got no doubt he could do damage at the next level.”

Back row Chandler Cunningham-South, below, is firmly in Borthwick’s England plans after the former London Irish forward produced his trademark bulldozer carries off the bench during the Six Nations.

The colossal 6ft 5ins, almost 19 stone 21-yearold has been a standout for Harlequins in his first campaign at the club and his boss Millard says he has ‘a soft spot’ for him.

Cunningham-South returned to action yesterday against Bordeaux after a calf injury sustained in England’s win over Ireland.

Millard added: “He’s come back from the England environment a better human and a better rugby player. He is absolutely chomping at the bit right now. His focus is getting accuracy and composure but you don’t want him to lose his wildness. We always tell him to stay wild and to get the level he showed last weekend. He’s working really hard with Danny Wilson and England around his lineout and we’ve seen some big improvements there.

“I think there’s a lot more to come. He’s a competitor, in training he’s only got one gear and it’s great to have him in the mix with his physicality alongside Andre (Esterhuizen), (Alex) Dombrandt, and then what Marcus (Smith) can do off the back of that, that’s what you need to break down defences.”