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Harlequins have long been Prem Rugby’s entertainers shown by their annual festive fixture at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, known as ‘Big Game’.
Fireworks, star-studded DJs and a light show are all part of an occasion where the actual rugby to many attendees is only the secondary form of entertainment.
Formed in 2008, Harlequins have utilised their location and have taken over HQ, drawing huge crowds with unprecedented regular season numbers, while enjoying a win rate of 56 per cent. In fact, the home side’s men’s team will take comfort from the fact they haven’t been beaten in the fixture since 2014.
Barnstorming Bristol
But on Saturday, Quins face a difficult task of playing a free-flowing Bristol Bears team, full to the brim with attacking talent.
Pat Lam’s side reached the semi-finals last term and have started this season well, considering a nightmare early season injury bill, with a respectable four wins from their opening six encounters. Star signing Louis Rees-Zammit has rediscovered the potent form shown at Gloucester, while British & Irish Lion Ellis Genge will be chomping at the bit to return to a ground he knows better than most.
In contrast, Quins have endured a poor run of form - one which has seen the club fail to replicate last season’s sell-out against Leicester Tigers. A seventh-place finish sealed a third campaign outside the play-offs and having started with just two wins from six outings, the match referred to as ‘Big’ should instead be renamed ‘Do or Die’ for this weekend, with the Londoners’ play-off chances hanging by a thread.
Season on the line
An early season coaching change saw Danny Wilson uproot to Wales, leaving Jason Gilmore steering the ship. Star players Andre Esterhuizen, Danny Care and Joe Marler have moved on to pastures new in recent times, leaving a heavy load on the shoulders of England playmaker Marcus Smith.
If Bristol hand Quins a fifth defeat of 2025/26, that could leave Gilmore’s men 16 points adrift of the top four with very little to take from the opening third of the season. That deficit looks insurmountable even after just seven rounds.
Although, on the flip side a win by any means necessary in front of 60,000 plus in their beloved bright lights fixture, could be just what the doctor ordered to spark life into Quins’ so far underwhelming campaign.
Saturday is less about razzmatazz and more about desperately finding a way to win.
