Guiness Premiership / The Betfair Contrarian / 26 August 2009 / Leave a comment

Bloodgate may have tarnished rugbys reputation as a gentlemans sport, but at the time of writing, Harlequins as a team have yet to be punishmed. Therefore, last years regular season runners-up can still win their first ever Guinness Premiership, says the Betfair Contrarian.

"Former Lions coach and massive rugby brain Ian McGeechan could be about to replace the shamed Dean Richards as Harlequins director of rugby after leaving Wasps in May."

The Contrarian loves a contestant with an axe hanging over them. Harlequins are [9.0] to win the Guinness Premiership outright but here are the Contrarian's five reasons why they are worth backing:

The Heineken Cup hangover

Reigning champions Leicester Tigers are clear favourites to win the Guinness Premiership at [3.6]. However, they ended last season on a low by losing their third Heineken Cup Final, this time against Leinster, a shocking statistic considering they are the only English side ever to have been beaten in the final. The last two times they were runners-up in Europe in 1997 and 2007 - they followed up by finishing fourth in the Premiership.

The champions are there for the taking

Leicester Tigers captain Martin Corry retired at the end of last season after spending 12 years at the club, during which time they won the Guinness Premiership six times and the Heineken Cup twice. In addition to having to adapt to playing without one of their star players, they made the least inspiring signing of the summer by bringing in Jeremy Staunton to cover for Toby Flood, who is out until at least November. Fellow fly-half Sam Vesty also suffered an injury earlier this week meaning that Staunton, who was only considered good enough to start twice for bottom-half Wasps last season, will be relied on heavily.

Supercoach McGeechan could be heading to Harlequins

Former Lions coach and massive rugby brain Ian McGeechan could be about to replace the shamed Dean Richards as Harlequins director of rugby after leaving Wasps in May. The Yorkshireman was hugely successful during his four-year spell with Quins London rivals, winning the Guinness Premiership, Heineken Cup and Powergen Cup over the course of that short stint in charge. The 62-year-old also enjoyed success with the Lions, guiding them to two series wins and pushing world champions South Africa to the limit earlier this year.

Monye's form for the Lions is a great omen

Harlequins star Ugo Monye was the British and Irish Lions top try-scorer on the summer tour of South Africa with five tries. In 2001, the Lions top scorer in Australia was Jason Robinson and the following season his club side the Sale Sharks enjoyed what was then the most successful season in their history, finishing second (2005 star Shane Williams played for Welsh side Ospreys). As Harlequins finished second last year, the only way they can enjoy their most successful campaign is by winning the Guinness Premiership for the first time.

Quins have a chance to fly out of the blocks

Whereas Leicester will be forced to play three of last seasons top five in the first month, the fixture computer hasn't been too cruel to Harlequins. Three of their first four opponents finished in the bottom half of the table while the exception is the Tigers, who they face at home. Quins have a poor record against the title favourites but lost just one regular season match at the Stoop last year, winning all of their final six. Topping the table at the end of September should prove enough to secure a play-off place at the very least, as four of the last five teams who led at the end of the first month have done so.

Tags: Dean Richards, Guinness Premiership Betting, Harlequins, Harlequins Blood Substitution scandal, Ian McGeechan, Leicester Tigers, Rugby Union Betting, The Betfair Contrarian, Wasps Rugby