Quins Play-Off Destiny in Own Hands

Correspondent

With six games to play in the regular season Harlequins Rugby League could find themselves just one point out of the play-offs and well poised for the top six come the end of this weekend's games.

With the exception of Bradford – who are the next visitors to the Twickenham Stoop – each of Quins' opponents over the closing rounds are also in the play-off mix, putting Harlequins 2006 destiny firmly in their own hands. Head Coach Brian McDermott, however, refuses to look any further ahead than Friday night where he expects a rugged battle.

"Having Danny (Williams) and Sol (Haumono) available is a big plus and it gives us a bigger squad to choose from. I think we've needed this type of competition for places within the team in the last few weeks."

"Salford are a very good team and we'll need to play with a lot of control and a lot of resilience if we are to break them down. They've been very consistent all year and we fully expect a tough battle."

Quins will have a third and final meeting with Salford in the last round of the regular season at the Twickenham Stoop. The other remaining home game for Harlequins RL is against Wigan Warriors on Sunday 10th September. The Stoop is unavailable for rugby league on Saturday 9th September with NEC Harlequins set to play Gloucester in the Guinness Premiership.

Friday night's game will be web-cast through BBC London 94.9fm and the second half will be live on BBC London 94.9fm radio.

Quins RL remaining fixtures:

    * Salford: 8pm Friday 4 August – A
    * Bradford: 3pm Saturday 12 August – H
    * Warrington: 3pm Sunday 20 August – A
    * Castleford: 3.30pm Sunday 3 September – A
    * Wigan: 3pm Sunday 10 September – H
    * Salford: 3pm Saturday 16 September – H

Harlequins 20 man squad:

Budworth, Bradley-Qalilawa, Dorn, Gafa, Heckenberg, Haumono, Hopkins, McLinden, Wells, Smith, Leuluai, Mills, Randall, Purdham, Paul, Worrincy, Tookey, Noone, Stewart, Williams

Quins RL are next at home at 3pm on Saturday 12th August against reigning Super League Champions, Bradford Bulls. This game will also see Twickenham's Biggest Beach Party arrive at the Stoop.