New focus can help Quins stun Sarries

Despite Quins' last home game being a 21-7 defeat to Bristol which saw an abject capitulation in the second half, a season's-best crowd of more than 11,300 is expected at the Stoop tomorrow to see the director of rugby's side take on London rivals Saracens.

While the pull of Saracens' superstar forwards duo of Chris Jack and Census Johnston will always draw the fans, it is memory of Quins' early season promise that is motivating the Stoop faithful.

The Bristol defeat was the lowest point of the season so far and Richards and the fans need a swift return to the form that saw Quins hold a healthy lead in their last league game at Gloucester before it all went wrong.

"That match [against Gloucester] was the only league game we have played since the World Cup Final on 20 October," said Richards.

"Since then it has all been about the cup competitions and now we are back to the bread and butter stuff and we have to get a win.

"I believe the focus for the players changed when the cup games came along. Now, we have the chance to get our minds back on the Premiership.

"I don't believe there is anything fundamentally wrong with the team. All we have done is trim things back to the basics this week."

Quins will have to achieve any victory without outside-half Chris Malone, the top points scorer in the Premiership, who is still a week away from fully recovering from the back injury he suffered in the gym.

That puts added pressure on key backs such as England's Dave Strettle, who missed the World Cup through injury.

He is now back to full fitness and proved it by eclipsing team-mate Ugo Monye to the title of "fastest man in the squad" when they under-went mid-season testing.

Monye is still smarting and hopes to take some of that frustration out on Sarries.

"The league is our main focus this season, and we are all determined to build on last season's sixth spot," he said. "It is vital that we get a win, not just for the team, but also for the fans who have supported us over the last few months.

"Saracens have a fantastic attacking game, with players such as Glen Jackson at outside-half and Brent Russell at full-back. Up front, they have the Chris Jack, who I think will be someone we will really have to control.

"However, it will all be about Quins. We are capable of both competing and beating the best, and we are ready to show this."

All Blacks lock Chris Jack and Johnston, the 20st Samoan prop, will spearhead a Sarries team that put over 100 points past Italian side Viadana in their last two games

England hero Richard Hill will rejoin them at flanker after a short injury lay-off, though hooker Matt Cairns has been sidelined for three months by a broken arm.

Meanwhile, London Irish are at home to bottom club Worcester on Sunday, with Shane Geraghty, the England back, ready to return from injury.

Thanks to the horrendous eye injury he suffered at the hands of England's Perry Freshwater last weekend, Exiles lock Kieran Roche will be out of action for at least a month.