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Harlequins vs Tigers Picks and Odds

Robert Duff

By Robert Duff in Rugby

Updated: May 16, 2021 at 8:59 am EDT

Published:


Harlequins' players on the pitch
Harlequins' players react after Stade Francais scored a try during the European Challenge Cup rugby union match between Harlequins and Stade Francais in Paris, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
  • Leicester Tigers are +102 home underdogs to Harlequins in their Rugby Premiership match on Saturday, May 15th
  • The Quins are the -129 away favorites
  • Harlequins have won nine of their last 12 Premiership matches

They’ve not had a coach per se in four months and their England international fullback was just banned for the remainder of the season. Nonetheless, Harlequins are rolling into Leicester to face the Tigers on a roll.

The Quins have won their last three matches and nine out of 12 overall. The Tigers, on the other hand, have dropped three straight and four of their past five matches. It’s been 16 weeks since Harlequins director of rugby Paul Gustard stepped down and a replacement still isn’t in place.

Harlequins have been established as the -129 away favorites for this match. They beat the Tigers 37-24 at home on February 13th.

Harlequins vs Leicester Tigers Rugby Premiership Odds

Player Moneyline Spread Total at DraftKings
Harlequins -129 -1.5 (-106) OFF
Leicester Tigers +102 +1.5 (-121) OFF

Odds as of May 14th

Saturday’s match kicks off at 10:30am ET at Welford Road.

Down Goes Brown

Harlequins outscored Wasps in a slugfest last week by a 48-46 count. It was the third time in five matches that the Quins have put up at least 48 points on the scoreboard. Previously, they beat Worcester 50-26 and drubbed Gloucester 59-24. They’ve scored 17 tries over their past three matches.

It wasn’t all happiness, however. Mike Brown, the former England fullback, was sent off by referee Wayne Barnes during the win over Wasps for stamping. It was the first red card of the 16-season veteran’s career.

Brown, who was also sin-binned in the first half of that match for a deliberate knock on, was handed a six-match ban following a disciplinary hearing. Since he’s moving to Newcastle next season, the suspension almost certainly means that Brown has played his final match in a Harlequins kit.

He’s made 351 appearances for the Quins.

Tigers In The Tank?

Leicester’s recent run of poor form hasn’t impacted their performance at home. The Tigers are 4-1 at Welford Road since the end of January. A 23-18 loss to Northampton on April 24th is the lone blemish on the club’s home record during that span.

They’ll send out a completely healthy and significantly revamped squad to face Harlequins on Saturday. Tom Youngs returns to captain the side at hooker. Jasper Wiese, who came off the bench in last week’s 26-10 loss to Sale Sharks, gets the start at Number 8.

England international George Martin is the only returnee in the pack who started against Sale. Props Ellis Genge and Dan Cole and locks Harry Wells and Calum Green join Youngs in the Tigers’ tight five. Tommy Reffell is the other Leicester flanker.

The England international pairing of scrum half Ben Youngs and fly-half George Ford anchor the back line. Freddie Steward returns at fullback, joined by wings Nemani Nadolo and Guy Porter. Matt Scott comes in at center.

Harlequins Making Two Changes

The Quins are instituting just two alterations to the starting 15 that defeated Wasps. Nathan Earle returns to start on the left wing, replacing the injured Cadan Murley. James Lang is also restored to the starting XV at inside center.

Brown’s absence is creating some juggling of positions in the back line. Luke Northmore switches from the #12 to the #13 jersey. Joe Marchant is starting on the right wing, with Tyrone Green at fullback.

  • Pick: Harlequins -1.5 (-106)
Robert Duff
Robert Duff

Sports Writer

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.

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