2019-20 European Rugby Champions Cup – Harlequins vs Ulster Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Harlequins vs Ulster taking place? Friday 13th December, 2019 – 19:45 (UK)
Where is Harlequins vs Ulster taking place? Twickenham Stoop, Twickenham
What is the expected weather for Harlequins vs Ulster? 7c in partly cloudy skies
What television channel is Harlequins vs Ulster on? This match will be televised live on BT Sport
Where can I stream Harlequins vs Ulster? BT Sport subscribers can stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app
Where can I get tickets for Harlequins vs Ulster? Official club websites will have ticket information about specific games. Tickets for the 2020 Finals in Marseilles can be obtained here
What was the score in the last meeting between Harlequins and Ulster? Ulster 25-24 Harlequins
THE TEAM NEWS
HARLEQUINS
- Harlequins know they have an uphill task if they are to advance to the knockout stages of the European Champions Cup after they surrendered a nine-point advantage late on against Ulster.
- Quins put in a valiant performance and looked set for an important victory but could not hang on and that loss now puts them seven points behind Ulster at the top of Pool 3 while they also trail Clermont by six points.
- Prop Kyle Sinckler made his first appearance of the season for Harlequins last week following his participation in the Rugby World Cup and his partnership with England teammate Joe Marler will be crucial in trying to overturn the result in this second game against Ulster.
ULSTER
- Ulster were far from their best but did enough to claim the spoils in what could turn out to be a vital victory in their quest to progress to the quarter-finals with a 79th minute penalty sealing the win against Harlequins.
- Having gone into the break with the scores all-square, Ulster found themselves trailing by nine points but having pulled to within two, John Cooney held his nerve to slot over the winning points and make it three wins from three in this season’s competition.
- Ulster will need to be much-improved for this visit to the Twickenham Stoop if they are to continue their perfect start but they could be without star back-rower Marcell Coetzee who was forced from the field in last week’s narrow win.
THE PREDICTION
Harlequins pushed Ulster all the way in last week’s clash and will fancy their chances of going one better on home soil. They will be disappointed that they could not hold on to a decent advantage before succumbing to a last-gasp penalty which leaves their hopes of progressing to the next round hanging by a thread. Their physicality was impressive last week and caused the Ulstermen problems and if they can repeat that effort, Quins should come out on top.
