Harlequins icon Danny Care says fighting on two fronts is ‘exciting’, but knows his side need to take each game as it comes if they hope to lift both titles. 

This season has arguably been one of the most ‘Quinsy’ seasons (to coin a phrase) for the Londoners. They still find themselves well in the hunt for the Premiership play-offs, despite three defeats from their four previous Premiership games, and a ‘swing the bat’ mentality has helped them through to a Champions Cup semi-final.

Speaking to the media this week, Care detailed how this season has been something of a dream for him: “I think for the first time ever we’re fighting on two fronts, which is new, but how exciting! Never in my wildest dreams, at my age, did I think I’d get to play potentially in a Champions Cup semi-final and try and get into the semi-finals of the premiership in the same year.”

Whilst he is clearly excited by the prospect of doing the double, he said his side are taking each game as it comes.

“We’re taking each game as it comes. We don’t know what’s going to happen with the Premiership this year. Everyone seems to beat everyone and everyone’s still got a chance of getting in the top four.”

He added: “We’re just focused on Northampton, who are the best team in the league at the minute and obviously one of the top four in Europe. We’ve got to play very well this weekend to keep the Premiership dream alive, but also keep some momentum going for some massive games.”

“May the best team win”-Danny Care on facing Northampton Saints

Quins will be looking for a big response following their loss to Sale Sharks, but it doesn’t get much tougher than table-toppers Northampton Saints.

Phil Dowson’s side travel to Twickenham in a rich vein of form. They have won nine of their past 10 matches in all competitions, and like Quins, have booked a spot in the Champions Cup semi-final.

Speaking on his opposition this weekend, Care said: “They’ve obviously set the standards on the pitch and now it comes to the business end. I’m sure they’ll be saying it means nothing if they don’t go on and win something. We massively respect them as a team and look forward to taking them on this weekend. Hopefully it’s a good game.”

The clash between the two play-off chasing sides also throws up plenty of tasty head-to-heads. Smith’s Marcus and Fin will be battling it out at fly-half, Care takes on Alex Mitchell at 9 and Chandler Cunningham-South squares off against Courtney Lawes.

On these head-to-heads, Care said: “Smith squared will be interesting, won’t it? There’s great players playing in both teams.

He added: “I’d say we’re fairly similar in styles as rugby teams. We like to score tries and to throw the ball around; but the packs have been very dominant this year. There’s loads of interesting head-to-heads, may the best team win.”