Chris Peddy
BBC Sport, London and South East

Image source, Getty Images

Harlequins are set to welcome back Marcus Smith for Sunday's London derby against Saracens, with senior coach Jason Gilmore saying it will be "huge" to have a man he describes as the team's "quarterback" on the pitch.

The 26-year-old England fly-half has not played for his club side yet this season after representing the British and Irish Lions on their tour of Australia in the summer.

Saracens have started the new Prem season with two big wins and are top of the table, while Quins have suffered consecutive defeats and have picked up just a sole losing bonus point against Bath on the opening day.

Harlequins completed the double over their city rivals last season, however.

"It's huge for us [to have Smith back]. He's our quarterback, he's our guy. He's a British Lion. He loves playing for Quins. He loves playing at The Stoop," Gilmore told BBC Radio London.

"The energy and confidence that he brings to the other boys, when you sit in the dressing room and Smithy's in there, you definitely get a boost."

To continue reading, click here.

Chris Peddy
BBC Sport, London and South East

Image source, Getty Images

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall has been impressed by his side's performances in their 100% winning start to the Prem season but warned there is a long way to go as they prepare for a London derby with Harlequins at The Stoop on Sunday.

Sarries finished sixth in the table and missed out on the play-offs last season but are top of the league after two bonus-point victories against Newcastle Red Bulls and Bristol Bears this term.

They face a Quins side who have lost their opening two fixtures, against last season's top two Bath and Leicester Tigers, but did the league double over their London rivals last season for the first time since 2019-20.

"It's been good. It's obviously early days," McCall told BBC Radio London.

"Our attitude and our mentality in the first two games has been good but it's a long season and we've got to continue that, and when games have some adversity in them, we've got to be able to cope well when those situations arise.

"We're playing against a team this week who we lost to twice last year.

"They deservedly beat us in both of those games so we're going to have to be a lot better this year."

To continue reading, click here.