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Bath Rugby vs Harlequins Picks and Odds

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in Rugby

Updated May 28, 2021 · 9:46 PM PDT

Bath's Olly Woodburn tackling Montpellier's Fulgence Ouedraogo
Bath's Olly Woodburn, left, and Sam Vesty, right, combine to tackle Montpellier's Fulgence Ouedraogo, centre, during their Heineken Cup pool 3 rugby match at the Recreation ground, Bath, England, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011. (AP Photo/Tom Hevezi)
  • Harlequins are 10.5-point home favorites over Bath in the Rugby Premiership match on Saturday, May 29th
  • Last week’s loss to Leicester Tigers ended the Quins’ three-match winning streak
  • Bath have lost their last three matches

It’s been five years since Harlequins swept the Rugby Premiership season series from Bath. The Quins look to be well-positioned to end that drought when the two sides clash on Saturday at the Twickenham Stoop.

Fourth in the table and seeking to lock up a playoff position, Harlequins are solid 10.5-point favorites to maintain their home winning streak over Bath. For ninth in the table Bath, they’ll be looking to end a three-match losing skid and move into the top eight to secure a position in Europe for next season.

Bath Rugby vs Harlequins Rugby Premiership Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total at DraftKings
Bath Rugby +310 +10.5 (-113) OFF
Harlequins -455 -10.5 (-113) OFF

Odds as of May 28th.

Kickoff for Saturday’s match is 9am ET at the Twickenham Stoop. Interestingly, Bath’s last victory was a 21-20 triumph over Leicester Tigers. It was Leicester that beat the Quins 35-29 last week to halt the latter’s three-match win streak.

Quins Cooking At Home

After getting off to an 0-2-1 start, Harlequins have won six matches in a row at home and are unbeaten in seven.  That’s the club’s best run of home succes in the Rugby Premiership since the 2014-15 season. They’ll get the added boost of 4,000 spectators at Saturday’s match, as COVID-19 restrictions are loosened across the United Kingdom.

However, Bath have come away clean with successive victories in their last two visits to Twickenham Stoop. They won 41-27 last season and took a 37-32 decision during the 2018-19 season.

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Bath haven’t not won three successive league fixtures at the venue since the days of the old Courage League division one between 1993-1995.

Harlequins beat Bath 28-15 at the Recreation Ground on February 6th.

Brown Loses Appeal

The last glimmer of hope that England full-back Mike Brown might play again with the Quins evaporated this week. Brown lost his appeal of a six-match ban in front of the Rugby Union Disciplinary Panel.

Brown, 35, was sent off against Wasps for stamping on the head of hooker Tommy Taylor in a May 9th match. Brown is to join Newcastle Falcons next season.

Harlequins Add Wallace

Looking to bolster their side for a playoff run, Harlequins have picked up veteran back-row forward Luke Wallace from Leicester.

Wallace, 30, made 169 appearances in a previous stint with Quins. He’ll provide cover for the loss of Will Evans to a season-ending injury. Wallace signed a contract that runs through the 2021-22 season.

Bath also also announced two roster moves this week that will take effect next season. The club signed Scottish international tighthead prop D’Arcy Rae from Glasgow Warriors and South African tighthead prop Johannes Jonker from Championship leaders Ealing Trailfinders.

Lineup News

Harlequins are opting to go with the same starting 15 that lost last week at Leicester. Two changes to the subs bench will see the return of back row forward Archie White and outside back Aaron Morris to the squad.

Bath have instituted wholesale changes to the side that fell last week to Sale Sharks. Eight new players draw in this week.

 

 

Prop Jamie Bhatti and centre Max Ojomoh are making their first Premiership starts for Bath. Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau, hooker Jacques Du Toit, flanker Miles Reid, winger Joe Cokanasiga, tighthead prop Will Stuart and scrum-half Ben Spencer are among those back for the Blue, Black and Whites.

Jonathan Joseph, out the last two games due to injury, is named to the subs bench.

Pick: Harlequins -10.5 (-113)

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