Thursday 16 October 2014 11:10, UK
Harlequins boss Conor O'Shea is looking for a change of fortunes when his side kick off their European campaign against Castres on Friday night.
Quins are currently lying seventh in the Premiership table after a disappointing start to the season but O’Shea believes a change of focus will do them the world of good.
“It has not been the best start for us but it is a long season – we didn’t start well last year but we still made it into the top four,” O’Shea told skysports.com.
We just want to get out there and start the European campaign on a massive high because it’s nice to get away from the Premiership. We now head into the European Champions Cup, a different tournament, where we can release the shackles a little bit.
“However a break from the Premiership will do us a lot of good and it’s great that we take on Castres at the Twickenham Stoop, where we are very comfortable.
“We just want to get out there and start the European campaign on a massive high because it’s nice to get away from the Premiership. We now head into the European Champions Cup, a different tournament, where we can release the shackles a little bit.”
Castres have not had things all their own way in their domestic league and are currently 12th in the Top 14 table. However O’Shea is not underestimating them.
“It’s going to be a pretty big game; they scored 50 points last weekend! They won the Top 14 two years ago and they were in the final last year. They have a massive squad, not just in number but also in size, and they’re not afraid of travelling away from home.
“We know the size of their pack, the threat of their maul, but also people like Remi Tales at fly-half, Rory Kockott at No.9, we know what they can do. It’s a big challenge.”
Backing for Robshaw
It seems these days you can’t talk about Harlequins without mentioning Chris Robshaw and the England skipper's form has once again been thrust into the spotlight with rumours that Steffon Armitage may be returning to the Premiership and could be in contention for that England No.7 jersey.
“I think rugby is about opinion, and everyone is entitled to have their opinion," said O'Shea. "I defend all my players stoutly, and you don’t look at the first four, five, six games, you look at the whole season and you look at what has gone on in seasons before.
"I still think that Chris’ form this year has been outstanding, but there has to be debate. If there wasn’t debate, there would be no media, there would be no fun. People have to have debates and differences of opinion. All I know is that I would never go to any battle without Chris Robshaw.
“I think what he’s done for England over the last number of years, how he has met adversity, that’s important. It is easy to be a fair-weather player and a fair-weather coach but you actually see what people are like when they’re hit with adversity. And there’s going to be ups and downs this year for England.
“There will be ups and downs even with their World Cup campaign and someone who’s been through as many things as Chris, as Joe (Marler), as Danny (Care), as Brownie (Mike Brown). They are the fighters; they are the ones you want to see on your side. It is not the ones that just when the going is good, they’re good, it is when the going gets tough that you want those people to stand up. And that’s the sort of person Chris Robshaw is.”
Conor O’Shea was speaking on behalf of QBE, the business insurance specialist, supporting community rugby through the QBE Coaching Club. Visit www.QBErugby.com
