London Wasps v Harlequins, Aviva Premiership, December 4
Quins aim for a perfect ten
ESPNscrum Staff
December 2, 2011
Try time for Harlequins' Danny Care, Harlequins v Newcastle, Aviva Premiership, Twickenham Stoop, Twickenham, England, November 27, 2011
Danny Care touches down for Harlequins in last weekend's win over Newcastle Falcons © Getty Images
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Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership
Teams: Harlequins | Wasps

Harlequins will look to take another step towards Premiership history when they travel to London rivals Wasps on Sunday to take on Wasps.

Quins, who have won every single game that they have played in all competitions thus far this term, are now nine from nine in the league on the back of last weekend's victory over Newcastle. Coincidentally, they are now just three victories away from equalling the Falcons' record of 12 successive wins at the start of the 1997/1998 season.

So, what chance have Wasps of bringing their visitors' remarkable run to an end? Well, the signs are not good as Dai Young's men have lost their last two in the Premiership, against Northampton and London Irish, and, ominously, have won just one of their last three games at Adams Park.

London Wasps - Player to Watch: Riki Flutey is back in the black and gold of Wasps and the inside centre will be looking to prove a point to the England selectors that he is still someone they should consider for January's EPS.

London Wasps - Team News:Wasps centre Riki Flutey has recovered from injury which has kept him out of the last two games to take his place in a pacey Wasps back-line to play Harlequins this weekend. Flutey is joined in the centre by Dom Waldouck as the duo pair up for the first time this season, and they line-up inside the familiar back-three of Christian Wade, Tom Varndell and Hugo Southwell. Joe Simpson starts this weekend alongside Nick Robinson and there's just one pack change, with Ed O'Donoghue coming into the second row in the absence of Ross Filipo

Harlequins - Player to Watch: In the absence of George Robson, Charlie Matthews is given his chance to shine in the second-row. The England U20 international is a hugely promising talent so expect him to shine on Sunday.

Harlequins - Team News: Mike Brown, Seb Stegmann and Sam Smith continue to form a prolific back three. Matt Hopper will be partnered at centre by Tom Casson with Jordan Turner Hall recovering from the cheek injury he sustained last week. Turner-Hall is expected to be out for four weeks. Nick Evans continues at fly half outside Danny Care. Joe Gray comes back into the starting line up rotating with Chris Brooker who drops to the bench. Joe Marler and James Johnston complete the front row. Tomas Vallejos is partnered in the second row by Charlie Matthews who replaces George Robson who has a sore calf. The back row sees captain Chris Robshaw move to number 8 in place of Nick Easter who was injured at the weekend, with Luke Wallace starting at no. 7 alongside Mo Fa'asavalu at no. 6. Other injuries at number 8 at the club include Tom Guest, who has now returned to full training and Chris York, who is still some way off returning.

Key Battle: Mike Brown is one the form fullback in the Premiership, if not Britain, but he will face one of his sternest tests when he comes up against Hugo Southwell. The Scottish back is going about his business in a quiet fashion at Adams Park but is still international-class on his day.

Trivia: Harlequins have won once at Adams Park, all the way back in 2003

Stats: Harlequins fullback Mike Brown is the Premiership's second top scorer this term, with five tries in nine games

Quote Unquote:

"Harlequins will provide us a very tough test, they are not top of the table for no reason. We know the brand of rugby that they play and if we do not meet it full force we will be in for a long afternoon. Looking after the ball and being very accurate in everything we do are key for us this weekend, because we won't get many chances to score so when we do we must take them."
- Dai Young is under no illusions to the threat Harlequins will pose his side

""There's so many good things going on, there's so many good young players across the leagues, there's so many people doing good things at community level all throughout the sport. That's been lost in this and it's tarnished (the sport) in a way it shouldn't. Hopefully we can get it back on the road to redemption, so to speak, very quickly."
- Quins director of rugby Conor O'Shea reflects on the recent happenings at the RFU and their wider impact on the game

Prediction: Harlequins are struggling with injuries and this might, just might, be the game where they come undone. In a narrow contest expect it to come down to the battle of the boot with Wasps edging it.

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