London Irish vs Harlequins Odds and Picks
- Harlequins are 10.5-point home favorites over London Irish in a Gallagher Rugby Premiership match slated for Sunday at The Stoop
- Harlequins are 2-2 to start the season, while London Irish are off to a 1-2 start
- Read below for analysis and a betting prediction for this game
It’s been awhile since either Harlequins or London Irish have seen any game action on a rugby pitch. COVID-19 outbreaks put both sides on the shelf in December.
London Irish (1-2) haven’t played since losing to the Sale Sharks 21-13 on Dec. 6. The last game action for Harlequins (2-2) was a 27-19 loss to the Bristol Bears on Dec. 26.
Harlequins is taking the pitch as 10.5-point home favorites over London Irish. The previous meeting saw the Quins downing London Irish 38-15 on Sept. 9.
London Irish vs Harlequins Rugby Premiership Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Irish | +330 | +10.5 (-113) | O 46.5 (-113) |
| Harlequins | -480 | -10.5 (-113) | U 46.5 (-113) |
Odds taken Jan. 8th at DraftKings.
Game time Sunday is 10am EST at The Stoop.
COVID Conundrum
These clubs have found themselves in drydock when it comes to game action for quite some time. Last week, cancellation of the Harlequins at Worcester match and the Northhampton at London Irish match was the result after the Premiership counted 33 positive tests for COVID-19 among team personnel. Of those 33 positive tests, 24 were from players.
🔜 First matchday of 2021!
☘️ We can't wait to return to @premrugby action at The Stoop tomorrow.#HARvLIR pic.twitter.com/c9CSBgYNWi
— London Irish (@londonirish) January 9, 2021
One Harlequins player ended up testing positive, with contact tracing ruling out six others. They were left without enough front-row forwards to fill the prop and hooker positions. The Quins shut down training for a week to prevent further infection.
London Irish also saw their Boxing Day match against Bath called off due to COVID-19.
Big Changes For Harlequins
Halequins head of rugby Paul Gustard is making several changes to the side that lost at Bristol. Some big names are drawing in for the Quins.
The front row is entirely populated by international players – England prop Joe Marler alongside Wales hooker Scott Baldwin and South African prop Wilco Louw.
Among the backs, Scotland’s Scott Steele is being given his first start of the season at scrum-half. Fellow Scottish international James Lang is switching from outside centre to inside centre. England midfielder Joe Marchant moves in and is starting at outside center.
🌟 Another glimpse of Louis Lynagh tomorrow. #COYQ #HARvLIR pic.twitter.com/NdkPeebWS9
— Harlequins 🃏 (@Harlequins) January 9, 2021
Second row forward Matt Symons returns to fitness for the first time since suffering injury in November against Exeter. Tom Lawday is also back in the starting lineup at blindside flanker. Cadan Murley gains selection at left wing, while Louis Lynagh maintains his spot on right wing after making his Premiership debut against Bristol.
On the subs bench, fullback Aaron Morris and back row forward Archie White are poised to make their first Premiership appearances.
London Irish Run Of Bad Luck
The London club was awarded two points for each of the canceled matches due to COVID. Under Premiership rules, the side causing the COVID-19 cancellation is given two points in the standings and the club not at fault is awarded four points.
The boys are back at Hazelwood, as preparations continue for our trip to The Stoop on Sunday! 🙌
Can’t wait for the first run-out of 2021.#ExileNation pic.twitter.com/FY0wazsF8g
— London Irish (@londonirish) January 6, 2021
The outbreak ended up forcing London Irish to shut down training for a week.
Prop Ollie Hoskins is making his 100th appearance for the club in Sunday’s match. Australian international Rob Simmons is a sub, positioning him to make his debut for London Irish.
Interesting Prop Offer
These two London sides tend to play wide-open, fast-paced rugby when they meet. Online sportsbooks are offering an interesting prop wager on this match.
🃏 Another week of grafting is over.
🏟 Let's show it on the pitch tomorrow. #COYQ #HARvLIR pic.twitter.com/35ISQpRF7D
— Harlequins 🃏 (@Harlequins) January 9, 2021
A Harlequins monyeline and over on the total parlay is on offer at +128. Take advantage of this play to gain a better price on the payout.
Pick: Harlequins moneyline and over 46.5 total parlay (+128).
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
