Italy flyhalf Tommy Allan signs for Perpignan

Harlequins have confirmed that Italy fly-half Tommy Allan will join French side Perpignan at the end of the season.

After joining the South West London club at the start of the 2021/22 campaign, Allan will return to Perpignan for a second stint at the club.

Capped 61 times for the Azzuri, Allan joined Harlequins from URC side Benetton Treviso where he has spent five seasons. He also enjoyed a spell with the Western Province in South Africa and the academy of fellow Premiership side Wasps.

A statement from the clubs this evening reads: “Harlequins wish Allan the best in the next step in his rugby career and looks forward to finishing the current campaign with the Italian international in the Famous Quarters.”

Harlequins head coach Tabai Matson could not hide his frustration as his side suffered defeat against Sharks thanks to a second-half comeback from the South African team.

Sharks went down to 14 men due to a red card shown to prop Ox Nche in the 60th minute and Quins clawed themselves back into contention only to lose 39-31 in Durban.

Sharks claimed two bonus points with the win after crossing for five tries, while Quins managed to clinch a losing bonus point away from home.

Wing Josh Bassett’s second try hauled his side back to 32-31 before Sharks scored a final try through full-back Boeta Chamberlainin the 79th minute to secure a famous win.

“We have given them too many penalties and gave them too many opportunities and good teams take them so we are frustrated when we rolled into the changing room because it was an opportunity missed,” said Matson.

“We missed our own opportunities in the game to play our game so it will be frustrating when we debrief the game.

“We have a day of travelling tomorrow and then a day off and it’s important to spend some time with our families and then we are back in on Tuesday and will debrief this game.

“We cannot dwell too much because we have one of the biggest teams in Europe – Racing 92 – coming to the Stoop on Sunday. We take some learnings from this game and then get ready for the new challenge.”

Centre Andre Esterhuizen scored two tries to give his side a four-try bonus point, as Sharks became the first South African side to play in the Heineken Champions Cup.

Harlequins captain Alex Dombrandt echoed the view of his coach and compared the entertaining clash with playing French sides in Europe.

“It was the same, but it was good to mix it up and spend a week in Durban in 30-degree heat and it makes a change from back home which has been nice,” said Dombrandt.

“But they sprung no surprises on us and we knew they were going to be a physical team, they were lucky to be able to bring back their Springboks from the national team.

“We knew it was going to be a tough challenge and they are a class outfit and like Tabs said it was frustrating and an opportunity to win was missed.

“We have shown in the past that a deficit doesn’t knock us and we know we can come back because we have that confidence and ability and belief that we chase any score down.

“The momentum was there but we ran out of time in the end.”

additional reporting PA