Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care is expecting an all-action showdown this Saturday, as his side travel to Ashton Gate to take on Gallagher Premiership table-toppers Bristol Bears.
Quins make the journey west off the back of a resounding 59-24 success over Gloucester last time out, in which Care helped himself to a couple of scores in the nine-try performance at Twickenham Stoop.
That heavy point-scoring has been emblematic of Quins’ playing style since the coaching quartet of Adam Jones, Jerry Flannery, Nick Evans and Charlie Mulchrone took over the reigns of the club, following Paul Gustard’s departure in early January.
Their sensational form has seen them rise to third in the table ahead of this weekend’s clash, and Care knows his team will have to be on top of their game to get a result against Pat Lam’s side.
“Bristol are the benchmark, they’re the team that is playing the best rugby, they’re top of the tree at the moment,” Care said.
“It’s a great place to go and play, a great pitch to go and play on, and two teams that like to throw the ball around and enjoy themselves.
“We’re going to have to be very switched on defensively, but also take our opportunities.”
👏 𝙁𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨.
— Harlequins 🃏 (@Harlequins) March 26, 2021
⬅️ A new front row & Joe Marchant returns from England duty.
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📦 Delivered by @dhlexpressuk. #COYQ #BRIvHAR pic.twitter.com/4R4Q2N518n
Last week’s victory over the Cherry and Whites was the perfect response from Quins, who were narrowly edged out by reigning champions Exeter Chiefs earlier in the month, with a late flurry seeing them go down 21-20 to Rob Baxter’s side.
And they will be bolstered by the return of their international stars following the climax of the competition, with England centre Joe Marchant returning to action to start alongside Andre Esterhuizen in the midfield.
There is also a new-look international front row in the shape of Joe Marler, Scott Baldwin and Wilco Louw, with the trio all starting the Gloucester victory on the bench, while Alex Dombrandt continues to captain the side.
And with the addition of their international stars, Care is confident that his side can go one better than they did against the Chiefs, but will have to make the most of their scoring opportunities if they are to do so.
“Like the Exeter game we’re going down there full of confidence and looking forward to the challenge but also respecting the opposition because we know how good they are,” Care said.
“We’re focused mainly on us and hopefully if we can get our stuff on the park we can cause them some problems, and hopefully we can get an extra couple of points that we didn’t get against Exeter.
“Whenever you play against the best teams you’ve got to come away with points when you get into their 22, so we’re excited and looking forward to it, and hopefully it goes well.”
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