9:00am Wednesday 13th January 2010
By Simon Fitzjohn
Brian McDermott admits he is desperate for Saturday’s pre-season encounter with the Crusaders to go ahead as the countdown to the new Super League season heats up.
Quins have been forced to juggle their training plans thanks to the inclement weather, and Sunday’s planned encounter with the club’s under-20 side also succumbed to the elements.
And with the 2010 opener against Wakefield just two weeks away, McDermott is eager for some real action.
He said: “Unfortunately there is a very real threat that the game this weekend may not take place.
“There is quite a bit of anxiety around the place as there is only so much indoor training you can do.
“I’m happy with the fitness as the players have been doing a lot of work, but I am concerned that we will not be able to get done what I wanted done in terms of a proper pre-season.
“We obviously start that bit earlier than everyone else so there is an edge to it, but all teams are pretty much in the same boat so we will just get on with it.”
With a week at an army boot camp already in the locker, the Quins players may indeed be looking forward to strutting their stuff on the field.
And one player looking to make an impression will be Ben Jones-Bishop, the young Leeds Rhinos full-back who will be at Quins on loan for the season.
McDermott added: “We have quite a few candidates for the full-back position and the truth is no-one really grabbed the spot and made it their own last year.
“We need someone to step up and do a Mark McLinden, and there is every chance Ben could do that.
“He has all the attributes and bags of potential, and it is up to him what he makes of his time here.”
Harlequins RL’s next three matches: Jan 16 Crusaders (Rosslyn Park), 22 London Skolars (Royal Artillery Ground), 30 Wakefield (h)
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