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Harlequins put on finishing clinic to down Northampton

By PA
Cadan Murley flies through the air to score in the corner /PA

Harlequins hooker Jack Musk scored two tries as his side recorded a bonus-point 35-29 victory at home to Northampton in the Gallagher Premiership.

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At one stage the visitors trailed 28-10 before staging a spirited rally which had Quins hanging on, but Saints will rue giving their opponents a 14-point start and their inability to take a number of golden chances.

Quins gave them a lesson in finishing with Lennox Anyanwu, Luke Northmore and Cadan Murley also scoring tries. Marcus Smith converted all five.

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Lewis Ludlam, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank and Tom James scored Saints’ tries, with Dan Biggar converting three and adding a penalty.

Northampton made a dreadful start by conceding two converted tries in the opening six minutes.

Their woes started when their scrum retreated rapidly at the first engagement. They were penalised and Smith kicked for the corner before Musk drove over from the resulting line-out.

Harlequins v Northampton Saints - Gallagher Premiership - Twickenham Stoop
George Furbank is tackled /PA

Careless handling from Saints then saw Joe Marchant pounce on the loose ball and send Anyanwu on a 50-metre run to the line for the second try.

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Northampton rallied to dominate the remainder of the first quarter but continued to surrender possession with poor ball-retention.

Tom Collins and Emmanuel Iyogun both fumbled in promising positions so it was left to Biggar to put his side on the scoreboard with a straightforward penalty.

Three minutes later, Quins extended their lead with a superb try. They moved the ball sweetly along their three-quarter line to Northmore, who ran 30 metres to score on his 50th appearance for the club.

Harlequins v Northampton Saints - Gallagher Premiership - Twickenham Stoop
Danny Care ready to rip at the base of a ruck /PA
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Despite trailing 21-3, the visitors had enjoyed more possession and territory and their efforts were finally rewarded when skipper Ludlam crashed over under the posts.

Saints immediately followed this up with the move of the match, which covered over 70 metres and deserved a score, but Rory Hutchinson was forced into touch in the dead-ball area so Quins held a 21-10 lead at the interval.

Three minutes after the restart, Northampton suffered a setback when their Australian lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto was yellow-carded for a high challenge.

Quins capitalised on his absence by scoring their bonus-point try when Musk finished off a driving line-out.

Salakaia-Lota returned from the sin-bin in time to see Freeman bring Saints back into contention by scoring their second try.

A comeback looked on the cards but Murley took advantage of some weak defending to squeeze in and put daylight between the teams.

Northampton secured two deserved bonus points late on with converted tries from Furbank and James.

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TI 1 hour ago
All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

Rieko took literally years to turn from a defensive liability at 13 into a guy, who’s defensively sound as it befits the position. And it all came at the cost of him being much less of an offensive threat, than what he used to be. Proctor is a natural 13, he handles, passes, and kicks way better than Rieko ever will, he just isn’t as fast.


It’s unfair to judge Tupaea on the handful of games he’s had in 2022 before he got nearly crippled by a Wallaby lock. What could Tupaea/Proctor pairing be, if they got the same amount of chances as Jordie/Rieko?


Because no matter how you spin it, playing a player outside of his natural position is a poor asset management. No matter how talented he is, he still competes against players who had years and years of practice at the position. And if said guy is so talented that he actually CAN compete against specialists, imagine how much better still he could have been, if he had all those years to iron the toothing issues at the position. It just drives me mad.


Two things I hate in rugby union beyond description: aping after league, and playing players outside of their natural position. Especially considering, that they all admit they hate it, when they’re allowed to speak freely. Owen Farrell spent 80% of his international career at 12, saying every time when asked, that he is a 10 and prefers to play at 10. Those players are literally held at a gunpoint: play out of position, or no national jersey for you.

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H
Hellhound 2 hours ago
What has happened to Aphelele Fassi?

Willie will always be the most missed player for me once he retires. He wasn't interested in scoring tries. The ultimate team player. Has the most assists in tries in the Bok team, and his kicks always spot on, at least 95% of the time. He reads the game like no other player can. He wasn't flashy, and people didn't notice him because of that. Great rugby head and knowledge. He should be catapulted into an assistant coach in the rugby system. He should really consider coaching.


Damian Willemse is an excellent fullback and he is the number 1 fullback. He can play the entire backline positions, except maybe 9, but I'm sure he would be able too if he wanted. No one is taking that away from him, only stand in while he is injured. He is world class and you don't swap that out. He also got wicked dancing feet, great eye for openings, and reads a game like few can, like Willie Le Roux. Also very strong on his feet, with absolute great hands and his kicking game is just as good.


As for Aphelele Fassi. What a great find and he has exceptional talent that Rassie will mould into a world class player. Yet.... He is nowhere even close to Damien Willemse. He has a long way to go to get there, but he is surrounded by great team mates from who he will gain lots of advice and support. He can play wing and fullback and Rassie may just try him out as a flyhalf or centre too. He has the abilities to expand his game. He is for sure a future star, but not yet at the stage to take away Damien Willemse's spot. However, DW start and AF on the bench, that is an awesome replacement. Between the 2 they cover all positions in the backline once AF gets that training. The Boks could go 6/2 permanently if they wanted. 6 forwards, a scrumhalf and AF. I may be wrong, but Rassie will spread AF around.

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