QUINS USE SPORTS PSYCHOLOGIST TO WARD OFF CAN-CAN DISTRACTION
Harlequins captain Will Skinner has revealed the secret behind his side’s magnificent Heineken Cup victory over Stade Français in Paris: sports psychology. The 15-10 win, which retained Quins’ 100 per cent record in Pool 4 and hands them a great chance of reaching the last eight for the first time in a decade, was labelled the club’s best in its 142-year history.
But Quins, who last won in France 11 years ago, had to block out an intimidating circus atmosphere, which included Moulin Rouge Can-Can girls, in front of a capacity 76,000 crowd. Tries from Jordan Turner-Hall and Tom Williams, and five kicked points from Nick Evans proved enough for Dean Richards’s team against the two-time runners-up.
“We used a sports psychiatrist who helped us recognise what distractions there would be at the game,” said Skinner, 24. “We didn’t want to get too amazing by everything – though it was hard when we were warming up!
“Without a shadow of a doubt that win was the pinnacle of my career so far. It was the biggest crowd I have ever played against and the biggest game I have ever played in.
“We really believe that we can go much further in the competition. And if anything is going to give us confidence, it was that win. But we have got to keep our feet on the ground. We have to win all our home games and we have got Stade coming back this weekend – and they will be looking for revenge.”
In Pool 2 London Wasps kept alive their hopes of advancing to the quarter-finals with a hard-fought win over Edinburgh at Murrayfield. With all nine internationals back in the fold, fly-half Danny Cipriani kicked 20 points and Tom Rees scored a try in the 25-16 victory. Wasps are now second with eight points – six behind Leinster.
Harlequins captain Will Skinner has revealed the secret behind his side’s magnificent Heineken Cup victory over Stade Français in Paris: sports psychology. The 15-10 win, which retained Quins’ 100 per cent record in Pool 4 and hands them a great chance of reaching the last eight for the first time in a decade, was labelled the club’s best in its 142-year history.
But Quins, who last won in France 11 years ago, had to block out an intimidating circus atmosphere, which included Moulin Rouge Can-Can girls, in front of a capacity 76,000 crowd. Tries from Jordan Turner-Hall and Tom Williams, and five kicked points from Nick Evans proved enough for Dean Richards’s team against the two-time runners-up.
“We used a sports psychiatrist who helped us recognise what distractions there would be at the game,” said Skinner, 24. “We didn’t want to get too amazing by everything – though it was hard when we were warming up!
“Without a shadow of a doubt that win was the pinnacle of my career so far. It was the biggest crowd I have ever played against and the biggest game I have ever played in.
“We really believe that we can go much further in the competition. And if anything is going to give us confidence, it was that win. But we have got to keep our feet on the ground. We have to win all our home games and we have got Stade coming back this weekend – and they will be looking for revenge.”
In Pool 2 London Wasps kept alive their hopes of advancing to the quarter-finals with a hard-fought win over Edinburgh at Murrayfield. With all nine internationals back in the fold, fly-half Danny Cipriani kicked 20 points and Tom Rees scored a try in the 25-16 victory. Wasps are now second with eight points – six behind Leinster.
Labels: Heineken Cup, London Harlequins, London Wasps, Will Skinner
