The Investec Champions Cup heads into the final round of the pool stages this weekend and we are at The Stoop this afternoon as Harlequins host Ulster. The home side have already qualified for the knockout stages whereas the visitors are still in need of something as they currently sit in the final qualification spot in pool two.
Harlequins thrashed Cardiff in Wales in matchday three 54-15. They sit third in pool two and have sealed a spot in the knockout stages, but they do still have something to play for as they have an outside chance of a top-two spot and a home last 16 match, if Bath get nothing away at Toulouse and Harlequins secure a bonus-point win against Ulster.
Ulster come into this afternoon’s game off the back of a heavy 48-24 home defeat to pool two leaders Toulouse last weekend. A win for Ulster, who currently sit in fourth place in pool two, will secure their spot in the last 16. A defeat for Ulster would see them drop into the Challenge Cup or even miss out on the European knockout stages completely.
Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey, who was named in Andy Farrell’s Ireland Six Nations squad this week, is backing his side to bounce back from their heavy defeat to Toulouse at home last weekend.
“Hopefully we can bounce back this week. I think we’ll turn it round against Quins,” said McCloskey.
“It’s knockout for us. I know they are already qualified so hopefully that gives us a slight edge.
“There’s a lot of enthusiasm in the group and we performed well and got good results in our three previous games before facing Toulouse so we are not too far away.”
Defeat for Ulster this afternoon could see them drop into the Challenge Cup, which McCloskey and his teammates are keen to avoid.
“I don’t really want to be playing Challenge Cup and I don’t think any of the other guys want to be playing it either.
“That’s a pretty big carrot. We’d much rather be playing Champions Cup last 16 against a big team, a big fixture.
“The away form we have had against English teams in Europe in previous years, especially against Quins, is something we can take as a positive.
“We must improve some of the turnover defensive stuff from the Toulouse game, also some of the maul defence. Attack wise guys being in position earlier, guys being in place to take opportunities we create.”