Challenge Cup Final

The European Challenge Cup Final will see Conor O’Shea take charge of his final match for Harlequins before leaving and the Premiership outfit will be facing the side sitting second in the TOP 14, Jake White’s Montpellier.

Both teams were in Pool 3 this season and both previous meetings went comfortably the way of the home side, but were close until the latter stages. As we all know this is ‘finals footy’ and that means that it’s a whole different ball game in which anything can, and probably will, happen.

Earlier in the week Conor O’Shea described his side’s opponents as having ‘monster pack’ and he’s right. At the heart of Montpellier’s front row are the Du Plessis brothers, two South Africans that are hard as nails, scrummage brilliantly and hit opponents for six all day long. They will test Quins’ front three’s ability at the set piece and in Joe Marler’s case his ability to keep his emotions in check. The Harlequin has to prove, on the biggest of European stages, that he can play on the edge without tipping over, if he does he’ll be hugely effective, if he doesn’t it will hurt Quins.

Behind the scrum both sides house a multiple of attacking threats and players that should show us some flair, if the weather allows. Montpellier’s gems arrive in in the form of Frans Steyn, Jesse Mogg and Benjamin Fall. Jake White’s side like to start matches quickly and never look back, they’ve scored the most first-half tries in the competition [16]. At the heart of Harlequins’ flair is captain, and scrum-half, Danny Care; he’s been involved in 9 tries in the competition so far, scoring 5 and making 4 assists. Danny will be constantly alert to openings around the fringes of the breakdown to exploit and behind him Jame Roberts will run the hard lines that Marland Yarde and Mike Brown can feed off.

Harlequins have a 100% record from their three Challenge Cup Final appearances lifting the trophy in 2001, 2004 and 2001 but they head into the game off the back of a really difficult time. Their loss against Harlequins 62-24 last Saturday was tough to take on the field but off it tragedy has struck at the club with news this week that one of their academy members, 20-year-old, Seb Adeniran-Olule died in a car accident. All involved on the pitch on Friday night will be thinking of Seb and will want to go out there and perform for him.

It’s going to be a brutal, physical and intense final at the Grand Stade de Lyon, both sides want the title and the 20th spot next year’s Champions Cup competition that comes with it. Montpellier have home country advantage but you have the feeling that with all of the emotions that Harlequins are feeling right now that will push experienced Internationals to the very top of their games and they might just record their fourth Challenge Cup title.