Preview: Harlequins v Wigan (R27)

Wigan Warriors, now finally clear of relegation, have the chance to keep the pressure on Harlequins RL on Sunday when they make their second visit to the Twickenham Stoop in two months.

Castleford Tigers? defeat at Salford City Reds on Friday night meant that Brian Noble?s men have pulled off the great escape but Quins are not yet out of the mire.

Level on points with Castleford and one ahead of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, they will go down on points difference if they fail to take a point from either of their last two fixtures and next week?s Wakefield-Castleford derby ends in a draw.

Wigan, too, still have something to play for since victory in their last two matches could enable them to pip sixth-placed Warrington Wolves for the last play-off spot if the Wolves lose their last two fixtures heavily.

?First and foremost we have to win our games to be in any equation and our focus is on performance,? said Noble. ?We are very determined to finish the season in the manner of the last few weeks but I still think there are areas we can improve on.

?It?s always difficult at the Stoop and they will be very ready for a game after last week.?

Quins, beaten 26-24 at home by Wigan in July, have won only one of their last four matches and were especially out of touch in their 27-12 defeat at Castleford last week.

?We were all very disappointed with that and we?ve trained really hard this week to fix some problems,? said coach Brian McDermott, who played under Noble for a decade at Bradford.

The game promises to be a poignant affair for Harlequins chairman Ian Lenagan, a long-time Wigan fan who insists there will be no divided loyalty.

?Having supported Wigan passionately for 48 years, of course I am pleased at their highly impressive recovery under Brian Noble,? said Lenagan.

?Objectively, I also believe that Wigan in Super League is good for rugby league provided that they have earned that right fairly without further salary cap non-compliance.

?However, there is not one iota of doubt as to who I shall be supporting passionately on Sunday.?

Quins are expected to welcome back scrum-half Thomas Leuluai, who has been out for a month with a hamstring injury but has been named in the 18-man squad.

Centre Matt Gafa is also added to the team which lost at The Jungle.

Wigan have winger Brett Dallas back from a five-week absence with a knee injury.

Harlequins RL 18-man squad: Bradley-Qalilawa, Budworth, Dorn, Gafa, Haumono, Heckenberg, Hopkins, Lucky Luisi, Leuluai, McLinden, Mills, Noone, Paul, Purdham, Randall, Smith, Stewart, Williams.

Wigan Warriors 18-man squad: Ashton, Calderwood, Dallas, Dobson, Fielden, Fletcher, Godwin, Hansen, Higham, Hock, Logan, McAvoy, O'Loughlin, Orr, Paleaaesina, Richards, Tickle, Vaealiki.

Referee: P Bentham

Source: superleague.co.uk