Quins won't stoop in face of Warriors test

Harlequins look to continue their blazing start to the engage Super League season when they take on Warrington at the Twickenham Stoop tomorrow afternoon.

Brian McDermott’s men had been tipped to struggle this year but they began the campaign with a shock win at champions St Helens and are currently second in the table after stretching their unbeaten run to three matches.

“I’m pleased with how we’ve played and especially how we’ve defended, but it’s very early,” said McDermott.

“The things we put in place in pre-season camp have been present in the games but we’ve had some ropey stuff as well so we have still got something to work on.

“Warrington will be our biggest challenge so far, even though we’re only four games into it. They came up with the goods against Hull and were just off a little bit against Bradford.”

Harlequins have decided not to play new signing Richard Villasanti, who will now make his Super League debut at Wigan next Friday.

“The game has come just too quick for Villa,” said Broncos spokesman Dom Fenton.

“He only got into the country this week and he needs to get his fitness going.”

McDermott’s decision was made easier by the availability of regular front-rowers Daniel Heckenberg and Karl Temata, who have overcome injury and illness respectively to retake their places in the squad.

Quins now have competition for places, with last year’s captain Mark McLinden reporting no ill-effects from his comeback from back surgery and new signing Andy Smith pushing to make his debut tomorrow.

McDermott has also been delighted with the impact made by 22-year-old utility player Chris Melling, Wigan’s academy player of the year in 2006 who deputised superbly at full-back for McLinden in Quins’ opening three matches.

“He plays full-back and he plays wing very well and he also plays hooker so I’m not going to pigeon-hole him in any position,” said McDermott.

“He’s pretty good in all positions. He’s an immensely fit man so he’s got the body type to be able to handle all positions.

“It’s very rare that you would play a bloke on the wing and the following week put him at hooker but this man has got the engine and the speed to do both.”