"We can’t afford to lose" - Elliot Daly
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Elliot Daly knows exactly how it feels to score a try and raise the roof at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium so the England winger cannot wait for Saracens' clash with Harlequins at the venue this weekend in Showdown 4.
There is a strong sense of anticipation for the fixture as the two London clubs begin The Run-In, with the lower bowl and south stand sold-out for the fourth edition of Saracens' annual trip away from StoneX Stadium.
With tickets still on sale, the 60,000 fans in attendance and those watching at home on TNT Sports and ITV will be in for a treat as second meets fourth.
A try-scorer two years ago when the fixture first took place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a 27-23 win against Bristol Bears, England international Daly is anticipating another great day in the capital.
"It’s such a brilliant stadium, and to play rugby in a stadium in London is pretty special," he said.
"Obviously the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is one of the best stadiums going.
"The atmosphere is brilliant, the front-row seats are basically on the touchline. You probably don’t get that at any other ground.
"The feeling towards that game is massive. Playing Quins is a rivalry we always enjoy. We are looking forward to that game."
Entering The Run-In fourth in the Gallagher Premiership Rugby table, a win for Mark McCall's team could see them leapfrog Harlequins.
Hoping to lift the trophy for a second year in a row, Daly and his teammates have a stern run of fixtures ahead of them.
Returning to domestic action with Harlequins, a weekend later the north Londoners will travel up the M1 to face table toppers Northampton Saints as the race for the play-offs hits top gear.
"With where we sit in the table now, we can’t afford to lose too many more games," he said.
"Those first two games are absolutely massive. We will try and fly into those two and hopefully get the right results to put us in a strong position in the table."
For Harlequins too, their journey across London could prove to be a valuable one.
Entering the Guinness Men's Six Nations break second in the league table, Danny Wilson's side have impressed in their efforts to become English champions once again.
Having had two months to stew on their 20-19 loss to Leicester Tigers ahead of the fallow period, Quins are hoping to consolidate their top two position.
This Saturday's game with Saracens is followed by hosting Bath Rugby a week later at the Twickenham Stoop.
Enjoying a training camp in Portugal, training sessions against Cardiff and two exhibition fixtures in the time off, Harlequins will return to Gallagher Premiership Rugby action confident in their ability to topple the current champions in a showpiece fixture.
"It’s another game in front of a huge crowd," Wilson said.
"That kind of stadium is going to really excite everyone involved. For us, we finished the last block league position wise really good, but we lost our last game.
"We know we are playing a very, very strong team and a team that will be at home in front of a strong crowd, but it is a challenge we are looking forward to.
"We know in this tight league we need to pick up as many wins as we can."
