Harlequins Director of Rugby Billy Millard says his side will need to match Bordeaux’s physicality this weekend if they hope to reach the Champions Cup semi-finals.
Harlequins won their first ever Champions Cup knockout tie last weekend against Glasgow Warriors, but they now face a much harder test in the form of Bordeaux.
The French outfit are firing on all cylinders this season, but particularly in Europe. They waltzed through the pool stages, and have torn Saracens apart on two occasions-winning by a collective margin of 73 points.
Whilst this might strike fear into most teams hearts, Millard said it actually helps his side prepare for the test ahead: “We clearly know what Saracens can bring, and it was quite good knowing them so well and seeing their game; it has helped us frame our approach.”
But what approach will Quins take? Bordeaux posses a squad littered with talent, and have the ability to either run through you or around you; and Millard is aware they must bring ‘a bit of everything’ if they hope to win.
“They’re a very good team,” he said. “They’ve got good threats all over the park.”
He added: “We’re going to have to be good, and we’re going to have to have a bit of everything to compete. They are physical, but we have to match that physicality, and then on the back of that, as we always say we can have our Quins moments.”
“He could do damage at the next level”-Harlequins boss Billy Millard on Will Evans
If Harlequins are going to front up, Will Evans will once again need to have a big game.
The back-rower was imperious in defence last weekend, making 16 tackles and also winning a turnover. This game might have brought him into the spotlight, but he has been doing this all season for the Londoners.
The Norwich native currently leads the charts for turnovers in both the Champions Cup and the Premiership, making a total of 27 so far this season (9 in Europe and 18 in the Prem).
His performance against Glasgow thrust him into the spotlight, after he came out on top against an international standard back-row of Jack Dempsey, Rory Darge and Matt Faegerson, and this type of performance has left Millard believing Evans has what it takes to kick onto test level himself.
“Of course he can. He showed it against that Scottish back row, he was unbelievable. He’s a warrior, he’s one that we have to look after at the start of each week because of where he puts his body.
He added: “I’ve got no doubt he could do damage at the next level.”
