Harlequins v Newcastle, Anglo-Welsh Cup, March 11
Revenge on the menu for Quins
ESPNscrum Staff
March 10, 2011
Harlequins fly-half Rory Clegg, Newcastle v Harlequins, Anglo-Welsh Cup, Kingston Park, Newcastle, England, November 15, 2009
Rory Clegg has a big role to play for Harlequins © Getty Images
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Tournaments/Tours: Anglo-Welsh Cup

Having routed Harlequins last weekend, Newcastle are hoping for a repeat performance at the Stoop on Friday night as they seek to book a place in the Anglo-Welsh Cup final.

The Falcons ran three tries past Quins in a 33-18 victory last time out but both sides will be keen to lift their performance as the dangling carrot of silverware moves into view.

Despite last weekend's surprise loss, Quins can call on two home wins over Newcastle already this season, having overcome the Falcons in the Premiership and the Pool stages of the Anglo-Welsh.

Harlequins - Player to Watch: In the absence of the injured Nick Evans, Rory Clegg has been required to steer Quins and the youngster will come up against one of the Premiership's most reliable campaigners in Jimmy Gopperth this weekend, not to mention his former club.

Harlequins - Team News: Karl Dickson returns at scrum-half after injury while George Lowe is also fit and wins a recall in midfield. Skipper Chris Robshaw switches to No.8, with Will Skinner at openside and Maurie Fa'asavalu in at No.6.

Newcastle - Player to Watch: He may not be available to Scotland this week due to his religious beliefs but tight-head Euan Murray will boost Newcastle's increasingly powerful forward pack.

Newcastle - Team News: Alex Tait shifts to fullback, with Danny Williams and Gcobani Bobo recalled on the wings. Gopperth and Micky Young are retained at halfback behind a settled pack.

Key Battle: The Falcons will fancy their chances up front and the Quins' back-row will need to ensure that Clegg is not placed under any unwarranted pressure.

Trivia: The Falcons' last silverware came in 2004, when a late Phil Dowson try secured victory over Sale in the Powergen Cup final.

Stats: Clegg has replaced the tournament's top scorer this weekend, with Evans having bagged 43 points before his injury.

Quote Unquote:

"We got our tactics pretty much spot-on last Friday, but we will be throwing a few new things in this time round. Quins will know a bit more of what we are about, and will have analysed the video of Friday's game, so we just have to freshen it up and keep them guessing to a certain extent. That's always the case when you play teams back-to-back, and there will be one or two new bits chucked in there just to mix it up." - Newcastle centre Luke Eves

Prediction: The Falcons have been on a mini roll of late but will face a backlash from the home side, who may now be looking at their only route to silverware this season.

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