London Irish v Harlequins predictions and rugby union tips: Exiles in trouble

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

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 3pm Sunday

Best bet

Harlequins to win by one to 12 points
1pt 7-4 Boyles

Match preview

It’s been nearly three months since Harlequins have been able to call upon Marcus Smith and the fly-half’s return could prove the catalyst for a strong end to the season.

Quins have a European Champions Cup knockout tie with Montpellier on the horizon but before that make the short six-mile trip across the capital to London Irish hoping to further their chances of a home playoff semi-final.

The defending Premiership champions are lurking behind second-placed Saracen in third, a far more comfortable place than London Irish find themselves in, back-to-back defeats having dropped the Exiles down the standings.

They were soundly beaten in both those losses to Leicester and Northampton, giving up 40 points in each, and containing a Quins side boosted by the return of their chief orchestrator Smith, along with fellow England internationals Alex Dombrandt, Joe Marchant and Joe Marler, won’t be easy.

They should prove too strong for an Irish side with a poor home record but Harlequins’ own efforts on the road suggest this will be close. All nine of their away games in the Premiership have been settled by ten points or fewer.

Only Saracens have scored more tries than London Irish in the Premiership and after their two heaviest defeats of the campaign, a reaction is expected from Declan Kidney’s playoff hopefuls.

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