Quins keep electronic eye on rivals

Harlequins 44 Neath

Video nights are the order of the day for Harlequins. Their entry into Europe has been commanding to date, but next Saturday they come up against one of the sternest tests of the season when they travel to Brive. So they have ensured they will not arrive in total ignorance of their foes.

Quins' two French forwards, the Laurents Benezech and Cabannes, have been the middlemen in an industrious Anglo-French information exchange. Members of the pair's families have been recording Brive's matches on French television and sending the videos to their loved ones in London for Dick Best, coach Andy Keast and the players to study.

Best, Quins' director of rugby, even received some advice from the French referee, Nicola Lasaga, after his side's demolition of Neath. "He told us we would have to play a much faster game if we wanted to beat them," said Best, who was not entirely happy with his team's performance. "Too many 50 per cent passes, too many basic errors and we didn't take every opportunity we created."

For two men, Neath was a tough match for different reasons. Quins locks Gareth and Glyn Llewellyn left the Welsh All Blacks for Harlequins in the summer. Gareth admitted afterwards: "That was the most difficult game of the season for me. It was really strange running out and looking across at all the boys. I'm delighted to get that game behind me. It was probably the most awkward one from an emotional point of view."

Despite Best's criticism, there were still eight tries scored. It was a pity Will Carling was so badly off-target with his kicking otherwise Quins would have run up a half-century and the former England captain would have been able to persuade the watching England manager, Jack Rowell, of his worth to the national side as the team's next bootman.

Carling still produced plenty of good moments to show that he has not lost his touch or his hunger for the game. One deft little touch produced a stunning try for the potent wing Daren O'Leary, surprisingly omitted from the latest England squad. Carling flicked a perfectly timed reverse pass, one-handed, behind him which opened a gash in the Neath defences for O'Leary's second try of the game and his ninth of the season in eight games.

At that point Carling was still the Harlequin outside-half, but the departure of Gary Connolly brought on Paul Challinor, who took over at No 10 and Carling moved into the centres, where he proceeded to turn on the power and pace and combined beautifully on a number of occasions with Robbie Paul, who had another fine match.

Harlequins: Tries J Williams 3, O'Leary 2, Cabannes 2, Mensah; Conversions Carling 2. Neath: Tries S Williams 2, Boobyer; Conversions G Davies 2; Penalty G Davies.

Harlequins: J Staples; D O'Leary, G Connolly (P Challinor, 67), R Paul, P Mensah (J Williams, 40); W Carling, H Harries; J Leonard (capt), K Wood, L Benezech, Gareth Llewellyn (R Jenkins 14-19), Glyn Llewellyn, B Davison, L Cabannes, M Watson.

Neath: G Davies; D Case, H Woodland, G Evans, R Jones; P Williams, P Horgan; J Davies (capt), B Williams, L Gerard, M Glover, A Kembery (I Boobyer, 15), R Jones, S Williams, S Martin.

Referee: N Lasaga (Biarritz).