Edwards: Cup can inspire Quins
Shaun Edwards is urging Harlequins RL to use this weekend’s Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth round tie at home to Wakefield Trinity Wildcats as a platform for success in London.
Quins have struggled for form in Engage Super League so far this season but Edwards, the most decorated player in Challenge Cup history, believes the lure of a trip to Wembley could bring out the best in his former club.
Edwards made his 11th and last Challenge Cup final appearance in the London Broncos team that lost 52-16 to Leeds at Wembley in 1999 and the ex-Wigan and Great Britain half-back still follows Harlequins closely.
“To go to Wembley with a small club was one of the highlights of my career,” said the Wasps RU coach. “For them to get to Wembley was a huge achievement.
“People might be surprised but my other achievements were always done with world class players.
“London Broncos was special. The first time I went there we came second which was very rewarding, and then in my second spell we were lucky enough to get to Wembley.”
Harlequins look to have little chance of repeating the Broncos’ achievement based on their start to the 2010 campaign. They have already lost at home to Wakefield in Engage Super League and are languishing at the foot of the table with just one win over Catalans to their credit.
But Edwards is refusing to write off their chances and is hoping for a win to help give Rugby League a further boost in the capital.
He said: “You never know what might happen and a Cup game will be a welcome respite from their troubles in Super League.
“Hopefully they can have a good Challenge Cup run. They have had a lot of injuries and a Cup run would give them a boost.
“It will also boost the crowds. They have not been getting the crowds they would hope for but there is a lot of interest in rugby league in London.
“Rugby league in schools is one of the biggest growing sports down here and it would be good to see as many of the people who have taken up the game as possible at The Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.”