Stormers coach John Dobson says he is confident of taking a competitive squad to London this week for their Investec Champions Cup clash against Harlequins at The Stoop on Sunday.
The Cape side is two from two in the competition so far, following impressive wins over Bayonne and La Rochelle, and Dobson believes growing squad depth has put them in a strong position heading into the round-three encounter.
“It’ll be a team that we think can win in London,” he said after the Stormers’ 13-8 Vodacom URC win against the Bulls. “The big thing has been our growth and our squad depth, which is the most important part of the project. Suleiman [Hartzenberg] was the 41st player we’ve used this season, which is good in terms of growth.”
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Despite the challenge of playing at The Stoop, Dobson made it clear the Stormers will not be travelling merely to make up the numbers.
“It’s going to be tough. We worked out that if we want to host a [Champions Cup] playoff, we have to get a point at least. But if you’re going for a point, you might as well go for the win because nobody plays to lose within seven.”
The Stormers will be eager to show improvement on last season’s visit to London, when a weakened side was dismantled 53-16 by Harlequins.
“It’ll look a bit different this year,” Dobson said.
Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
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