Harlequins v London Irish predictions and rugby union tips: Quins will be tested

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Harlequins v London Irish in the Gallagher Premiership on Saturday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 3pm Saturday

Best bet

Harlequins to win by one to 12 points
1pt 8-5 bet365

Preview

Harlequins are heavy favourites to follow up their impressive win at Sale by brushing aside basement boys London Irish on Saturday, but the inconsistent nature of Quins should make punters wary.

They have yet to win consecutive games in the Premiership this season and can’t call upon the match-winner from the 29-13 win over the Sharks, Marcus Smith, due to international call-ups.

England fly-half Smith knits together the Quins attack and without him they may have a harder time defeating an Irish side with a good track record at the Stoop, avoiding defeat on their last five visits.

It may be asking too much of the Exiles to extend that unbeaten run given they’ve lost all four of their away assignment this term, conceding an average of 35.5 points per game, but they did look better defensively in a 22-21 loss to Gloucester last time out.

Going forward, no side has scored more tries than Irish’s total of 26 this season and there’s enough young talent in the travelling squad to trouble a Harlequins side who have seen all but one of their games settled by a margin greater than nine points.

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