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Harlequins reject notion their name is on trophy after semi-final miracle

If there is a sense that Harlequins’ name is on the Premiership trophy this season it is a theory to which Jerry Flannery does not subscribe. Quins pulled off the most remarkable comeback in Premiership history to win their semi-final against Bristol, having already mastered the art of escapism in their run to the play-offs, but the notion that their destiny is preordained is getting short shrift from the players and coaching staff.

Related: Harlequins into Premiership final after stunning extra-time win over Bristol

To recap, Harlequins are in their first final since 2012, having sacked Paul Gustard in January after a rank average start to the season. Gustard has not been replaced but the assistant coaches Flannery, Nick Evans and Adam Jones have come together to hugely impressive effect and steered Harlequins to Twickenham, with a bit of help from the general manager Billy Millard. They still intend to appoint a new director of rugby next week but supporters will be forgiven for asking why.

Harlequins have recaptured their sense of adventure on the pitch. The players are going about their business with an evident enjoyment so clearly lacking over the past season or two – perhaps far longer. Young English players such as Alex Dombrandt, Marcus Smith, Joe Marchant and Will Evans – until his untimely injury – are dovetailing with old heads such as Danny Care and Joe Marler, who at 30 is in the form of his life.

On one hand there is a sense that their luck may run out against Exeter at Twickenham on Saturday, a feeling that their cavalier approach will come unstuck against the roundheads from the south-west who are contesting a sixth successive final. But there is also a suspicion that Harlequins’ unbreakable self-belief has dragged them this far and may just get them across the finishing line.

“A lot of people would say that is Harlequins’ final [against Bristol] and we are very aware of that,” says Flannery. “I don’t think there is anything like destiny or fate. But if you had asked anybody who had watched any rugby this season when we were 28-0 down they would say Bristol are going to give them attack opportunities. None of the players were panicking. We are also aware that is not the case with Exeter. If you go 28-0 down against Exeter, Exeter don’t blow leads like that.”

Jerry Flannery, Harlequins coach.
Jerry Flannery has a warning for his players after their semi-final comeback. ‘If you go 28-0 down against Exeter, Exeter don’t blow leads like that.’ Photograph: Dan Mullan/Getty Images

As much as Harlequins are enjoying the ride, Flannery is only too aware that their run to the final has come out of the blue. Whereas Alex Sanderson, the Sale director of rugby, has predicted his side will regularly be contesting semi-finals despite their defeat by Exeter last weekend, Harlequins do not seem as safe a bet to be challenging consistently. Flannery cites how Wasps went on a similar run to reach the final last season but have dropped off this season while the return of Saracens is only going to make the Premiership more competitive. Seizing the moment, then, is going to be key for Quins on Saturday.

“We’ve got momentum,” says Flannery. “Teams did not really see us coming and we rolled that momentum together into a final. It is a three- or four-year plan. If winning the Premiership is climbing Everest you want to be in the top four all the time because then you are at base camp and then it is not so much of a stretch. If you are going from seventh or eighth like Harlequins have done in the past, we need to build a foundation.”

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Flannery is the most experienced of the three Quins coaches, all of whom are in their early 40s. He has taken responsibility for the defence, having developed a liking for it at Munster under the tutelage of Jacques Nienaber, who is now in charge of South Africa. But it was his time as a strength and conditioning coach at Arsenal FC – his first backroom role in 2013 – that opened his eyes to the importance of man management.

“Players don’t have to like you personally but you need to be consistent with them and how you treat them,” Flannery says. “That was the biggest learning. Football and rugby are night and day but coming here was different from Munster. At Munster players have come through the academy and there is a very strong tribal feel to the group and anyone from outside the group has to quickly fall in line with that. With this group at Harlequins there are so many different personalities it is very different.

“They are just a big bunch of weirdos! They all get on, I don’t know how else to describe them.”