Quins’ chase their first silverware of a potential domestic treble this season.
Harlequins’ Charlie Matthews is prepared for a severe test in Sunday’s LV Cup Final against Sale Sharks despite the Manchester side sitting second bottom of the Aviva Premiership.
The 21-year-old lock is one of many less experienced players picked by director of rugby Conor O’Shea as Quins’ chase their first silverware of a potential domestic treble this season.
Matthews also revealed the extra incentive of breaking into the first team is a driving force behind their LV Cup performances.
“Sale will be a massive test. We went up there and played pretty well a few weeks ago but in patches they actually tore us apart,” he said.
“So we are definitely not going to underestimate them. It’s a final and they will be up for it.
“People like Luke Wallace and other guys are putting pressure on their first team counter parts.”
Matthews believes the role of the youngsters in this year’s LV Cup can help for healthy competition in Quins’ other trophy targets.
“This is massive for them to really try and make a statement for the big games coming up in the Heineken and Premiership,” he said.
“You see so many first team players that have come out of the academy. It’s really positive.
“They rarely bring in a really big, expensive foreigner to play ahead of you.
“There’s a clear pathway. If you work hard and play well you’ll eventually get there”
Full-back Ross Chisholm also revealed the defending Aviva Premiership champions simply try to have fun playing and the results largely are a by-product of that mindset.
“This group of players that’s played in the LV Cup have just tried to go out and enjoy it,” said Chisholm.
“Obviously we want to go out and perform because it’s a final but I don’t think we’re under a huge amount of pressure from the coaches.
“When we enjoy it we play an exciting style of rugby and guys can get out there and express themselves, and we have that license.
“As long as we put in a performance and enjoy it we’ll accept the result.”
Photo courtesy of officialRFUTV via YouTube, with thanks.
Follow us @SW_Londoner
