Harlequins aim to avoid Saracens 'trap' in Gallagher Premiership clash, Marcus Smith 'perfect Lions player' - Danny Care

Gallagher Premiership rugby returns this weekend with a feast of fixtures as local rivalries come to the fore on Derby Weekend. In north London, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will see Saracens host Harlequins and speaking to TNT Sports, Harlequins' Danny Care said his side will be looking for a vastly improved performance after their crushing defeat in last season's corresponding fixture.

Danny Care says he and his Harlequins team-mates will need to be "on our money" as they seek a measure of revenge over Saracens in their Gallagher Premiership Derby Weekend clash.

Sarries will host Quins at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, rather than their usual home of StoneX Stadium in Barnet, for the third year in a row for ‘The Showdown’ live on TNT Sports and discovery+, having claimed a thumping 52-7 win 12 months ago.

Speaking exclusively to TNT Sports, Care admitted his side "fell into the trap" last time out and said Quins are determined to put in a better showing at one of the country’s most impressive sporting arenas this time around.

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"One of the most incredible grounds you could ever imagine," he said. "To play in it again, the surface, the changing rooms, everything about it. Really, really special. I think it’s our last one there. They’ve got to change teams next year, who they pick to play.

"Us as Quins, we want to perform a lot better than we did last year, that’s for certain.

He added: "We let ourselves down there last year. We made a lot of mistakes and fed that team the energy they had that day. I think it was Owen Farrell’s 250th game, there was a lot of emotion around it from them and we kind of fell into the trap there, which is what you can do against Saracens and they got on a roll and were way too good for us on the day.

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"We’ve talked about that and talked about how we can hopefully start the game a little bit better, give ourselves a chance to compete against them.

"We beat them at home earlier in the season so we know we’ve got the ability to cause them some problems, but we know we have to be on our money and play a really, really good game on Saturday if we are to get a result."

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The second instalment of Derby Weekend this season will see all 10 Gallagher Premiership teams back in action against local rivals, following the eight-week break for the Six Nations.

With seven rounds of Premiership action to go ahead of the play-offs, Care suggests current table-toppers Bath, fresh off their victory in the Premiership Rugby Cup final, will be the team to beat.

"Bath are flying," he admitted. "I was there in Exeter to see them lift the Prem Cup. You could see and feel around the whole place, from young 17-year-old academy lads to Tom Dunn one of the older statesmen lifting his first trophy there.

"They’re really building something this year and they look dangerously good. They rested a lot of their players but kept a few of them on the bench to come on and give them that boost and momentum.

"They, for me, are looking like favourites for the title this year and I know just speaking to a few of their players they’re not done with one, they’re chasing three trophies this year and I can see Bath having a really strong end to the season."

Highlights: Bath crush Exeter to end trophy drought

Video credit: TNT Sports

Smith 'perfect' for Lions tour, Farrell can 'do a job' for Dad

England’s overall impressive showing in the Six Nations Championship may have created a selection headache, albeit a welcome one, for new British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell.

Care believes England’s second-place finish saw a number of players throw their hats into the ring for a place in the squad for this summer’s Lions tour of Australia, particularly the flankers.

"All the back row," he suggested when considering who could make the squad. "It’s hard to say one or two of the back row. Every single one of them. Both Currys [Tom and Ben], Ben Earl, Chandler Cunningham-South, Henry Pollock coming in for that last game, they were all incredible. You could make a case for all of them.

"I think Marcus Smith, being a bit biased, is a perfect Lions player. Unbelievable fly-half, also shown he can play at the top level at 15 as well. I think he’s going to be invaluable.

"Someone who has really come into his own is Will Stuart. England have been talking about who’s going to be the next tighthead prop after Dan Cole. I think he’s the form tighthead at the minute. I’d be shocked if he didn’t make a tour.

"And think a couple of the old sages, Elliot Day, Jamie George still showing that they’ve still got it at the very, very top level. They’ve got test-match Lions experience already in the bank and I’m sure Andy Farrell will be looking at guys like them as well."

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Video credit: SNTV

Care is also hoping to see Owen Farrell don the Lions red once again, and is curious to know if the topic has come up between him and Farrell senior in the hotseat.

"I still think there’s a conversation to be had between the head coach and his son! I know Owen is obviously playing in France at the minute. Has had a few injuries this year, but if he could finish the season strongly, you just never know.

"I don’t know what that dynamic must be like, you know, ‘Pass me the gravy please Dad and can we talk about the Lions tour’.

"If Andy still needs someone to bolster that backline, I think Owen can still do a job, so he’s probably my outside tip."

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