Gale eyes Quins cup run

Harlequins stand-off Luke Gale is hoping that they can move a step closer to Wembley with victory against his former club Leeds in the Challenge Cup on Friday.

Quins coasted through to the fifth round with a 70-0 thumping of Gateshead less than a fortnight ago, but face a much trickier test against the Rhinos this time out, although they have already won at Headingley this season.

However, despite an impressive start to the season, their form has dropped off in recent weeks, but Gale is hopeful they can raise their game to prolong their cup run.

He said: “We started off all guns blazing and then dropped off.

“I think everyone’s form has dipped a bit and we need to get back on the horse and get things going again but the Challenge Cup is different, you’ve got one chance and if you get beat you’re out so you do look at it a bit differently.

“Everyone loves the Challenge Cup. The boys seem to really like it and after our win over Gateshead in the last round we said ‘this is the first step of going somewhere in the Challenge Cup’.

“We have spoken together as a team and the cup is something we want to do well in.”

A lifelong Leeds fan, Gale came through the Rhinos academy before a two-year spell at Doncaster attracted the attention of Brian McDermott, the now Leeds coach who brought him to London in 2009.

He added: “You look at the fixture list at the start of the season and there are some games you look forward to. Leeds is a game I personally look forward to and I think the boys do as well.

“Everyone was looking forward to the Leeds tie as soon at it got drawn. It’s one of those games you want to be involved in. We’re hoping for a good performance and we go up there on Friday night with everything to play for.”