Harlequins boss ‘not surprised’ by first Champions Cup semi-final
Split with Harlequins celebrating and director of rugby Billy Millard.
Harlequins director of rugby Billy Millard says he is “not surprised” that the Premiership side beat Bordeaux-Begles in the Investec Champions Cup quarter-finals.
Millard’s men claimed a dramatic 42-41 win over the French side away from home to secure their first-ever Champions Cup semi-final.
The clash was filled with tries but ultimately it was Tyrone Green’s score in the last 10 minutes that sealed the result, despite Bordeaux skipper Maxime Lucu having the chance to win it with a late conversion.
Well within capabilities
For Quins, it has been a period of up and down form but they march on, with the winner of Toulouse and Exeter Chiefs their opponent in the last four.
“I am just so proud of them, not surprised, because I know the capability of the group. It was quite emotional for us,” Millard said.
“The great thing about this group, especially after a loss like Saracens, is that we were pretty honest with each other.
“We then had a pretty wild game against Bath and a really tough game against Glasgow, so we were pretty confident that the last three weeks would set us up for this.
“We knew it would go down to the wire. We didn’t turn up against Saracens. Why, we are not sure, but we have done since and the boys executed today.
“The one thing you know about this competition is that with each game as you progress, it gets tougher.
“We’ve played Toulouse already – we know what is coming there – and we play Exeter a lot. We will enjoy this (result), and then be back into the grind.”
Job not done
It is a moment to savour for the club as they bask in their own personal history, however, captain Stephan Lewies insists the job is not done.
“The job is not done yet. There is more in us, and we will keep going,” Lewies said.
“There is so much room for improvement, and as much as we will enjoy this, there is more in the group.
“Days like this don’t happen often. A few beers now, and then we will be back in.”
READ MORE: Harlequins win 83-point thriller at Bordeaux-Begles in history-making Champions Cup win