Cadan Murley says Harlequins players 'desperate' to play in Big Game 15 against Gloucester at Twickenham

Harlequins' Cadan Murley says that Saturday's Gallagher Premiership Rugby 'Big Game' meeting with Gloucester at Twickenham is "the biggest game in our calendar".

The 24-year-old has scored three tries in his last two Big Game matches and he is determined to play his part to help Harlequins stretch their nine-year unbeaten run against their rivals.

Murley believes that the match - which will be shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - is one the whole team is "desperate" to play in.

"I love it so much," he said. "It’s the one game in the calendar I think everyone is desperate to be fit for.

"The level in training the week before goes up because boys want to get selected, there’s an incredible buzz around and hopefully we’ll get near a sell-out.

"I enjoy playing at Twickenham and our big players step up. I’ve been provided with a nice few assists there, I’m just the one on the end of it."

Harlequins currently sit two points outside the top four at the halfway point in the season.

Quins beat Exeter Chiefs when the Big Game fixture took place last March, but Murley believes playing at Christmas time this year gives the match extra significance.

“Playing the Big Game over Christmas brings that buzz,” he added. "Most people are off work and can enjoy themselves a little more.

“We’re lucky with the calendar this year because with games on the 23rd and 30th, we get a bit more time off around Christmas, but we’d rather have the Big Game than not.

“We all look at it as the biggest game in our calendar."

Harlequins Women will also play earlier in the day against Gloucester-Hartpury, which will also be live on TNT Sports.

Murley believes having the men's and women's fixtures played on the same day can help grow their fanbase.

"We’re one unit and one team so to have both games there creates a great day out," he said.

"Families can spend a whole day there and it's what rugby needs – selling a big event and spectacle.

"To have something like that in rugby and even if we get 500 or 1,000 new fans in, that’s a game that can hopefully turn heads and get more people involved in rugby."

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