Quins have special quality

RUGBY HEINEKEN CUP QUARTER-FINALS:Harlequins v Leinster, Tomorrow 3.30pm, The Twickenham Stoop, Live on Sky Sports 2

PROFESSIONAL SPORTSMEN rarely allow sentiment elbow room because it’s an unproductive distraction to the goal of winning.

It’s unlikely that a handful of Leinster’s senior players, who have backboned the team for close to a decade, will dwell unduly on implications of tomorrow’s match beyond the specifics of securing a place in a Heineken Cup semi-final.

That same group won’t consider whether this might be the final occasion they stand shoulder to shoulder in search of European glory or pause to reflect on what a dressingroom will be like without Felipe Contepomi next season.

They won’t care about the critics who are stockpiling the brickbats in anticipation of another losing Leinster footnote in Europe.

Instead they’ll be preoccupied by the minutiae of trying to beat a Dean Richards-marshalled Harlequins team that stand second in the English Premiership and have lost just one of their last 10 matches.

London Irish are the only team to beat ’Quins at The Stoop this season, a feat they managed in both EDF Cup and league.

Cork-born Mike Ross – he will join Leinster in the summer – is an integral part of an excellent tight five, who excel in scrum, lineout, ruck, maul and at the breakdown. Chris Robshaw, captain, Will Skinner and England number eight Nick Easter form a beautifully balanced backrow based on raw physicality, athleticism and a hard-nosed attitude.

Scrumhalf Danny Care’s volatility is an Achilles’ heel but it doesn’t overshadow qualities like pace, strength and a keen eye. Outhalf and former All Black Nick Evans has been the catalyst that has manoeuvred Harlequins from being a decent side to one capable of challenging for honours.

His game management skills are sharply honed, whether with the boot, running or releasing the outside backs and he is also a consummate place-kicker.

David Strettle and the in-form Ugo Monye are among the best wings in Europe and Leinster’s kick/chase will have to be aggressive and watertight; something it patently wasn’t against Munster.

Apparently Bernard Jackman is fit to play even though he hasn’t trained this week following the knee injury he picked up against Munster. Leinster can ill afford Jackman or the other players returning from the treatment room, Brian O’Driscoll (neck) and Luke Fitzgerald (shoulder), to be anything less than fully primed physically.

Harlequins will go after the Leinster scrum; the visitors will reciprocate out of touch. The home team is particularly combative at the breakdown and in previous matches sides that have done this against Leinster have caused the Irish province problems because their kicking game can be a little hit or miss. Harlequins’ line speed in defence is quick, aggressive and saucer-like with the wings coming up hard on the outside.

There are a number of factors that are not negotiable if Leinster are to prevail. The halfbacks Chris Whitaker and Contepomi will have to be at their best, the set-piece has to be assured and Rocky Elsom needs more consistent support in terms of quality from his fellow forwards.

Leinster must also have the courage to go and win the game and not hide behind the conservatism of trying not to lose.

There are too many ifs shrouding Leinster’s credentials – injuries and individual form are just two – to plump for anything other than a Harlequins victory.

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales).

Previous HC meetings: None.

Paths to the quarter-finals: Harlequins – bt Scarlets 29-22 (a); bt Ulster 42-21 (h); bt Stade Français 15-10 (a); bt Stade Français 19-17 (h); lost to Ulster 21-10 (a); bt Scarlets 29-24 (h). Leinster – bt Edinburgh 27-16 (a); bt Wasps 41-11 (h); bt Castres 33-3 (h); lost to Castres 18-15 (a); lost to Wasps 19-12 (a); bt Edinburgh 12-3 (h).

Leading point scorers: Harlequins –

Nick Evans 33. Leinster – Felipe Contepomi 55.

Leading try scorers: Harlequins – Tom Williams 4. Leinster – Brian O’Driscoll 4.

Odds (courtesy of Paddy Power): Harlequins 4/5, Leinster 11/10, Draw 20/1. Handicap – Harlequins (+2) 10/11, Leinster (-2) 10/11, Draw 20/1.

Verdict: Harlequins to win.