Sarries and Quins relishing latest edition of The Duel

Far more than just local bragging rights are on the line when Saracens meet Harlequins in the latest edition of The Duel on Sunday.

Both sides are gunning for a place in the play-offs after strong starts to the season, with Saracens suffering just one defeat and Quins coming into the contest off the back of four straight victories.

It means this weekend’s meeting at StoneX Stadium, which is live on TNT Sports, is more intriguing than ever, as the two clubs write another chapter in the fixture’s storied history and Saracens head coach Alex Austerberry hopes the rivalry will be on show at full force with both sides going well early on.

“The league needs strong rivalries,” he said. “It needs games that get the attention of people, and both Quins and ourselves performing at their best. That's a great spectacle; it has been throughout the history of this competition.

“Hopefully they won't be at their best at the weekend, and we can nullify some of the things that they've been doing really well. But in terms of fans and the spectacle, Quins, a London rival in form, that's brilliant for the crowd. It's really good for the league.”

The rivalry continues 🤝

Are you hyped for this Sunday?

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— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) November 20, 2024

Quins’ strong start has been one of the stories of the opening rounds, with Ross Chisholm’s charges clicking together in style after narrow defeats to Exeter Chiefs and Gloucester-Hartpury in their opening two matches.

Since then, Quins have shown plenty of attacking verve to despatch Leicester Tigers, Loughborough Lightning, Bristol Bears, and Sale Sharks in consecutive matches.

They were able to call on a full suite of international stars in their 38-7 defeat of Sharks, with Red Roses Ellie Kildunne, Lucy Packer and Connie Powell all in action to help their side up to third in the table.

And Quins captain Jade Konkel-Roberts believes their recent results has given them the confidence to make it five in a row against their old rivals.

“We’re going to rise to the challenge,” she said. “It’s going to take hard work, and we’ll have to reflect on our win against Sale, learn from it, and go into the match with a good mindset.

“It’s just the graft from everybody, not just the people on the field or bench. Training sessions are spicy, and they bring the competitive nature out of everybody. 

“It allows everyone to perform and if we didn’t have that week in and week out at training from every person, we wouldn’t be able to get the play and that result on the pitch.

“We’ve beaten Sarries in the Duel before, we want to play our way and if we do that and get all the things right, the outcome will take care of itself.”

6️⃣ tries and counting in @thePWR this season for @May_Campbell16! 🏉

Catch her in action on Sunday. 👇️

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— Saracens Women (@SaracensWomen) November 20, 2024

Konkel-Roberts will be part of a key back-row battle on Sunday alongside teammates Alex Callender and Nicole Wythe.

They will hope to get the better of Saracens’ imposing trio that could include the likes of May Campbell, Gabrielle Senft and Red Roses captain Marlie Packer.

Sarries are determined to get back to winning ways after defeat to Exeter Chiefs last time out at the start of the month but Packer is under no illusions as to the challenge that faces them.

“Alex Callender, she's a great player, a player that I would love to have played alongside, but always one that I relish playing against,” said Packer.

“She's a great character off the pitch and on the pitch as well. She's someone that you could be in a ruck with and she's undoing your laces. A character, a really good player. You give her respect but have to make sure you bring your A game.

“I'm not worried about playing Alex, I'm not worried about playing Jade Konkel or any of the back row. What I need to bring is the best version of myself, make sure I lead the Saracens team in the way we want to play and conduct ourselves. If we do that, we've come up with the right result.”