Are the Union Lot playing at the Stoop on Saturday?

When we went to Quins a few weeks ago the pitch was a quagmire, Didn't seem to be draining very well. So could either be too wet, (reason the Celtic game was cancelled) or if its cold will be frozen.

No.

I agree.

Not just any other friendly though - I agree that it seems unfair to mess around the Bulls but I'd be surprised if the Quins/RFL scrap the Manly game unless they absolutely have to.

I'm sorry but it doesn't make a slightest bit of difference for me it's a friendly. It was bad enough having the game moved for it in the first place but to have to possibly play midweek would be a travesty.

Hopefully the game will be on, weather is improving slightly down here so perhaps it won`t be a problem, the ground staff are working hard to keep the pitch in playable condition. I doubt there is any chance or appetite for the Manly game to be cancelled. As for playing mid-week.......from a fan`s perspective it is not a lot different to us having to travel north for Friday night games .......so you can see how that annoys us!!

I don't think it's the travelling midweek that would be unfair on Bradford (although the number of Bradford supporters at the game would be seriously reduced), it's the impact on the team, asking them to play 3 games in a week so Quins can have a friendly. Maybe the game should be moved to the friday of the 'friendly' week, and Quins can still play their friendly if they want and Bradford would play their weekly game as normal.

Of course, let's hope this isn't an issue and the game goes ahead as planned!

No but there is a game at Twickenham on saturday if you want something to watch.

Whilst I agree with your priciple, I would be stunned if that happened given the RFL are using this friendly to attract fans to Harlequins Rugby League. There is talk of Harlequins V NRL champs being the warm up game to the WCC every year from now on (until we win a SL Grand Final that is).
I think that it will be played mid-week, which is unfair to everyone concerned, but more so your players and fans who had no control over this fixture change in the first place.
Let's hope it goes ahead. There is apparently a small army of volunteers from both codes currently shoveling snow off the plastic covers and the forecast for Friday night is no frost (2 degrees), so I think it will......

RL & RU working in harmony

I am shocked too.

Of course it's different if it's played on a Wednesday people will be at work on Thursday.

www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=3787

www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=3787

is the mid season international a mid week or weekend game this year? If its a weekend one then that would be logical weekend to re-arrange this fixture to if necessary, with a block on any bulls/quins being called up for the international.

That's what Halifax did last year they played Melbourne on the Friday night then their scheduled game on the Sunday.

Having rung the Harlequins office today, the main problem they told me would be the snow melting and then freezing over and making the stand unsafe.

Maybe we should all bring a bag of sand with us



Throw it where we choose to walk once in the stadium.

That just makes me think is it worth risking the trip when we won't find out till 9am if the game is on

From our official site

Harlequins v Bradford Bulls - Preview
Brian McDermott speaks ahead of Sunday's Super League opener against Bradford Bulls. Plus injury news.
Related Multimedia
After the heaviest snow fall in over a decade, Brian McDermott says he is very happy with the preparation his team have made ahead of Sunday's match at the Stoop.
"We haven't let the weather effect us, and we've been able to do a lot this week to prepare fully for our first Super League fixture of 2009.

"The starting line up should look something like it did against Halifax, but the biggest question for everyone is what the bench will look like once I've decided on my 17 man squad. I didn't have to make those decisions for our warm-up games, but I'm actually really looking forward to settling on 17 players and giving them a longer run out.

"The players are all really looking forward to it, and we couldn't wish for a better opponent to open against, with Bradford having such an illustrious history."

Injury News

Daniel Heckenberg (shoulder) should return with 2 weeks

Dave Williams (quad strain)

Matt Gardner (back)



=redThe pitch is now free from snow, and is receiving constant attention. There will be a pitch inspection at the Stoop on Saturday morning. If the game is cancelled, announcements will be made through the usual channels.

if it's rescheduled, couldn't they schedule the game close to a cup weekend match? preferably early on if both teams have lower league opposition. or later if both teams are knocked out?

I wish the weather people would make their mind up.

BBC has London down for sleet, whereas the met office doesn't.. on sunday.

Makes trip planning difficult.

The met office does have it down for sleet now. I think they are just a little slow at updating the site at times.

Predicting snow is one of the most difficult jobs for the Met Office, it's almost a lottery.

I can live with that. No severe weather warnings listed for after today too

The next load of snow is due for the south on Monday/Tuesday.

Pitch inspection is now 4pm on Saturday by the way.