Diprose wants more from Quins in their second game with Stade de Francais

Defence coach Tony Diprose says Harlequins know they must raise their game if they are to beat Stade Francais again this Saturday.

Quins beat Stade at the Stade de France last week 15-10 in the Heineken cup.

"It will take a huge team performance to win again," Diprose told BBC London 94.9's rugby show The Scrum.

"If you poke the tiger in the stomach with a stick then there will be a pretty hard and physical response I'm sure from Stade Francais."

It was incredibly physical, it was up there at test level probably and it was good to see our guys could live with that Tony Diprose

Diprose admitted that, following last weeks historic win, the players did celebrate: "We did let the guys let their hair down and celebrate a bit at the weekend.

"We've had our highs and lows, and to appreciate the lows you have to appreciate the highs as well."

"It was incredibly physical, it was up there at test level probably and it was good to see our guys could live with that," he said.

"I thought the front five worked really hard last week especially at the end when we were under the pump. The back row have been excellent all season."

Diprose also singled out a couple of players for specific praise: "I think Chris Robshaw is someone who is producing fantastic performances week in week out, without maybe, some of the credit that other players get.

606: DEBATE Can Quins do it again?

"I thought Tom Williams was also outstanding at the weekend as some who has lived in the shadow of Strettle and Monye for a little bit," he added.

You can hear the full interview with Tony Diprose on BBC London 94.9's rugby show The Scrum on Thursday 11 December 2100 GMT.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version