Harlequins v Montpellier: Challenge Cup final preview
Last Updated: 13/05/16 10:43pm
Harlequins started the build-up to Friday's European Challenge Cup final aiming to lift the trophy for "second dad" Conor O'Shea, but will arrive in Lyon paying tribute to prop Seb Adeniran-Olule.
Captain Danny Care hailed departing rugby director O'Shea's paternal influence on the Twickenham outfit, but that motivation doubtless fades after young prop Adeniran-Olule's death this week in a car crash.
A minute's silence will be held in memory of Adeniran-Olule before kick-off in Quins' European final clash with Montpellier in Lyon on Friday night.
The Harlequins squad will wear black armbands to honour a 20-year-old loosehead prop, who had a bright rugby future ahead.
O'Shea's fatherly instincts will doubtless have come to the fore after the shock loss of Adeniran-Olule, and skipper Care hailed the former Ireland full-back, who will take charge of Quins one last time before joining Italy.
"Conor came in at an incredibly tough time, the club was probably at an all-time low, and he came in and a few people probably questioned why he was coming into the club," said Care of O'Shea, who joined Harlequins after the 'bloodgate' scandal that saw Dean Richards depart.
"He saw a lot of potential, he saw a squad he thought could do some special things. With his guidance and some good players in the squad we have had a very successful six years under his tenure.
"He's been brilliant for the club, a lot of players have developed through him, and gone on to reach international honours.
He's been like a second dad for a lot of us, he's looked after us and guided us.
Danny Care on Conor O'Shea
"He's always got a smile on his face so the club's definitely going to miss that, but we wish him all the best.
"It's his honesty that makes him such a great coach, and he's the most positive person you'll ever meet.
"He doesn't react too quickly to adversity, he's a clever bloke, he sees the bigger picture and he's been great for us.
"He's been like a second dad for a lot of us, he's looked after us and guided us.
"He'll always go the extra mile, that's the type of bloke he is.
"He'll go the extra mile to make sure everyone in the squad is comfortable and happy and he's a guy that his door's wide open.
"If you've ever got a problem you pick up the phone or go and speak to him. You've got that respect from him, and he respects you."
Harlequins are back to full strength following last weekend's 62-24 home Premiership thumping at the hands of rampant Exeter.
Prop Joe Marler returns as expected after his two-week ban for kicking Grenoble hooker Arnaud Heguy in the head, while Montpellier boast South Africa internationals Frans Steyn and Pierre Spies in a bruising line-up.
"This club has given me a heck of a lot, more than I've given to it," O'Shea told Sky Sports.
"I've given everything I can. There are a group of players who are incredibly ambitious and are frustrated with this season. We got ourselves into a great position pre-Six Nations, and for the second Six Nations in a row we have lost our momentum and been unable to get it back.
"But we have an opportunity that sport gives you on Friday night, to finish with an emotional high. It will be one of the greatest achievements because of what we did last week [against Exeter].
"This is one of two trophies we could win at the start of the season and we're in the final against an incredible Montpellier side.
"The odds are stacked against us but if you look at the names on our teamsheet, they're proud ambitious people and want to have a medal in the cupboard, one that adds to the 150 years of this club."
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Marland Yarde, 13 George Lowe, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Danny Care (c); 1 Joe Marler, 2 Joe Gray, 3 Adam Jones, 4 James Horwill, 5 Sam Twomey, 6 Chris Robshaw, 7 Luke Wallace, 8 Nick Easter.
Replacements: 16 Dave Ward, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Mat Luamanu, 20 Jack Clifford, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Ben Botica, 23 Ross Chisholm.
Montpellier: 15 Benjamin Fall, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Anthony Tuitavke, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Marvin O'Connor, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic White; 1 Mikheil Nariashvili, 2 Bismarck Du Plessis, 3 Jannie Du Plessis, 4 Jacques Du Plessis, 5 Paul Willemse, 6 Fulgence Ouedraogo (c), 7 Akapusi Qera, 8 Pierre Spies.
Replacements: 16 Mickael Ivaldi, 17 Yvan Watremez, 18 Davit Kubriashvili, 19 Sitaleki Timani, 20 Kelian Galletier, 21 Benoit Paillaugue, 22 Robert Ebersohn, 23 Jesse Mogg.
Watch Harlequins v Montpellier live on Sky Sports 2 HD on Friday from 7.30pm. Catch the match for £6.99 with a NOW TV day pass