Narraway previews Quins clash with LITV

London Irish back-row Luke Narraway is licking his lips at the prospect of going toe-to-toe with Harlequins in the European Rugby Challenge Cup this Saturday (kick-off 8.05pm).

The Exiles travel to The Stoop for what promises to be a blood and thunder clash as derby day fever hits Twickenham.

And Narraway, 32, who lives in Twickenham admits this weekend’s showdown is currently the talk of the town with a place in the last four at stake.

“I have friends that own a few pubs in Twickenham and they are putting on a big spread for it, so I’m sure the place will be buzzing,” Narraway told LITV.

“I’m sure the pubs will be busy and hopefully they will stay away from my front door,” Narraway added tongue in cheek.

Tasting defeat at home to Sale Sharks last weekend, a result that keeps Irish four points adrift of Newcastle Falcons at the foot of the Aviva Premiership table, Narraway is itching for his side to bounce back with a positive display.

And with a crunch league match at Newcastle the following week, the Worcester-born ball carrier believes the Quins game could spark a resurgence in the Exiles’ quest to maintain their Premiership status.

Narraway said: “The game could be the catalyst that we are after – we have been playing some good stuff recently, so hopefully we can just tidy up the edges and continue to do so in order to give us momentum going into the Newcastle game.”

Quins occupy sixth place in the table, but with Sale hot on their heels, Conor O’Shea’s men will be fighting tooth and nail to win the competition and guarantee themselves a place in European rugby’s premier competition.

“Knowing Harlequins, it’s not going to be a slow set-piece game,” said Narraway.

“They like to move the ball, they like to play with their offloads and they like to play with a high tempo so we have got to be on our mettle to defend against that,” added the England capped international. 

Tickets for the game are still available by clicking here.

Click here to watch the full interview on LITV.  

London Irish welcome Harlequins to the Madejski Stadium on Sunday 1^st May (kick-off 3pm) with tickets available by calling 0118 968 1016 or click here to purchase online.