Harlequins vs Ulster Prediction: Quins attack can prove too strong for Ulster

Harlequins’ place in the Round of 16 for the European Champions Cup is already assured but that has not stopped them selecting a strong side to face Ulster on Saturday (13:00).

Ulster head to a sold-out Twickenham Stoop knowing they have work to do to reach the knockout stages, especially with the likes of Racing 92 and Cardiff in pursuit.

Team News

Quins have been handed a boost with the return of experienced prop Joe Marler fresh on the back of his selection for England’s 2024 Six Nations squad this week.

Marler had been nursing an ankle injury but returns to the front-row ,alongside Jack Walker at hooker and Will Collier at tighthead.

Irne Herbst starts alongside George Hammond in the second-row, while Chandler Cunningham-South comes into the back-row with Will Evans and Alex Dombrandt.

England halfbacks Danny Care and Marcus Smith again start, with Andre Esterhuizen and Oscar Beard in the centres.

Tyrone Green, Cameron Anderson and Nick David make up the back three.

As for the visitors, their six players called up for Ireland’s latest Six Nations squad in the form of Tom Stewart, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, Nick Timoney, Jacob Stockdale and Stuart McCloskey have been selected.

Stewart and O’Toole pack down in the front-row with World Cup-winning Springbok Steven Kitshoff, while Henderson and Kieran Treadwell make up the second-row.

Matty Rea returns at blindside flanker, alongside David Mcann and Timoney.

Reliable pair of John Cooney and Billy Burns continue in halfbacks, with James Hume joining McLoskey in the centres.

Stockdale, Rob Baloucoune and Mike Lowry make up an explosive back three for the visitors.

Match Odds

Harlequins are 3/10 favourites to make home advantage count and win on Saturday, while Ulster are available at 13/5 to cause an upset and head back across the Irish Sea with the victory.

A tie between these two attacking sides is currently at 22/1.

Harlequins -10.5 handicap @ 5/4

With conditions expected to be overcast but dry, the weather should suit Harlequins’ attacking brand of running rugby.

Care and Smith will look to dictate the pace of the game and put pressure on an Ulster side that have conceded 100 points in their first three Champions Cup outings this season.

Ulster will certainly be no pushovers in this one and they also have attacking threats in their backline to cause Quins’ problems.

Stockdale looks to be back in positive form after a tough couple of years and the Ireland winger will be a player to look out for in the tryscorer markets.

However, with home advantage and conditions for running rugby, Harlequins have the firepower to not only get the win but also overcome a -10.5 handicap in the process.

Check out the rest of our Rugby Union Betting Tips here.