Mike Brown Says 'Playing the Harlequins Brand of Rugby' Is Key to Team's Success

Harlequins have high hopes for premiership success as the 2014-15 Aviva Premiership season kicks off this weekend. Loaded with an abundance of talent, Quins boast no less than nine current and former internationals. England fullback Mike Brown is one of the club’s biggest assets. After last year’s trophy-less campaign—their first in four years, the classy fullback believes his side’s positive style of play can soon bring success back to the Stoop.

“We need to stick to our brand of rugby—off loads, playing quick and counter attack. We also have to do the basics well and stick to our roles as individuals. Then the results will start to come,” he said.

The Stoopers were an inconsistent side last season. A 2-3 start landed them in mid-table where they remained for much of the year. When they eventually found their rhythm, they very much looked like the Harlequins of old. Five straight wins to end the regular season catapulted them into the semi-finals.

They eventually settled for fourth place after being out-dueled a week later by Saracens. Their fast finish could not mask a clear decline in their performances the past two years as the table below shows.

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Brown believes that players getting hurt were a major factor in the team’s struggles. “Last season we had problems keeping fit and building partnerships. Injuries affected our consistency throughout the whole year,” he said.

Harlequins will be desperately seeking to arrest the downward trend since their championship-winning 2011-2012 year. An offseason to heal and rejuvenate, as well as the acquisition of two star players—Marland Yarde and Asaeli Tikoirotuma—will bolster the team heading into the new campaign. Brown is particularly excited about the arrival of his England team-mate.

“Marland (Yarde) is quick, powerful and likes taking on defenders with the ball in his hands. He is an attacking player that fits in with the style that we like to play at Harlequins. He’s already slotted in well and had a really good preseason,” he added.

At 22, Yarde is one of the game’s most outstanding young prospects. His damaging bursts had the All Blacks on the ropes this past summer as he notched two tries in three Tests—and could have had more. These scores raised his tally to four five-pointers in only five Test matches.

Yarde’s try-scoring prowess has not been limited to the international arena. Last season, despite suiting up for only 12 Premiership games, he dotted down eight times for London Irish—tied-fourth in the competition. “Hopefully he can score a lot of tries for us too,” remarked Brown. With a 10-try drop off over the last two years, Yarde’s acquisition could be the solution to halting this decline.

Unlike rivals Bath and Gloucester—who have each signed a bunch of new players—Harlequins have only added the two new faces this season. Although they have probably been the quietest club on the market, players returning from injury and youngsters filtering through from their youth academy should provide them with a very strong squad.

Judging by the depth at the back of the scrum, there appears to be a conveyor belt of loose forwards being manufactured these days at the Stoop. Even with the departures of Maurie Fa’asavalu (Oyonnax) and Tom Guest (Wasps), there are players queuing up for starting jerseys at flanker and No. 8. The first name 29-Test veteran Brown mentions is Luke Wallace. He believes the versatile 23-year-old could be on the verge of higher representative honours:

Season	Position	Wins	Points	+/-	Tries
2011-12	1st	17	75	+137	53
2012-13	3rd	15	69	+107	52
2013-14	4th	15	67	+72	43

“Last season, Luke showed that he’s on the right path to become an England international. He should be even better this year too. We’ve also got Chris Robshaw, who is a proven world class player, (Joe) Trayfoot, (Jack) Clifford and (James) Chisholm who has shown what he can do in the 7’s—so we have got guys pushing all over. The back row is now one of our strongest areas.”

They also seem to be richly stocked in the centres. Due to injuries, no player started more than 10 Premiership games in the 12 or 13 shirts last season. The rugby gods would be very unkind to deal Quins a similar blow this year. With Jordan Turner-Hall, Matt Hopper, George Lowe, Tom Casson and others competing for starting berths, the quartered jersey should boast a formidable midfield.

David Rogers/Getty Images

The first challenge of the new season for Harlequins will be against capital rivals London Irish. Last year, they managed to get off to a winning start in Round 1 by edging Wasps 16-15. Brown realises that a good start is imperative for his side in this tough derby fixture.

“Obviously we want to hit the ground running. We’re looking forward to a quick start and imposing our style of play against Irish who are a tough side. Hopefully it will be a nice dry track for us at Twickenham on Saturday,” he said.

Some early momentum would be ideal for Harlequins, who will be severely tested by four London derbies in the opening five rounds. A result against Round 2 opponents, Saracens, could be the key to getting their season up and running. The north Londoners have been a particular nemesis to the Quins in recent times. Since the beginning of the 2009-2010 season their record is 1-10 against Sarries in all competitions.

It promises to be another fascinating season with many twists and turns. Quins’ explosive ball-in-hand style of rugby should keep fans at the Stoop on the edge of their seat all season. Fullback Brown’s injection into the back line and counter-attacking prowess will be one of the great features of their play. If they can minimise injuries and gain more consistency, Harlequins have a genuine chance of returning to the podium at season’s end. The quest for them begins on Saturday.  

The quotes in this article were all sourced firsthand. All stats are courtesy of espnscrum.com. To talk rugby and other sports—find me on Twitter:@jdunc1979