Harlequins returned to Aviva Premiership action at home to Worcester Warriors after a disappointing away performance in the champions cup at Wasps.
Quins made 6 changes from the previous match which were a result of suspensions or injuries; a total of 28 players unavailable due to those reasons show that Quins do have some depth and quality in their squad. One of those absent again from the match day squad was winger Marland Yarde who looks to have played his last game for the club with Sale Sharks reported to have signed him, however at the time of writing this post it is still just a rumour.
Going into the game Harlequins would of been hoping to improve on their previous defensive performances which has seen them concede 3 or more tries in 4 of their first 6 league games; In these 6 games the opposition has averaged 27 points! Something Quins will know they have to address if they want to finish in the top 4 this season. Worcester have their own issues with no wins from their own opening 6 games and only 1 losing bonus point to show for their troubles.
It was the hosts that started the brightest with 18 year old sensation and currents points leader in the premiership Marcus Smith going over with the first try on 8 minutes. However it was the visitors who went in at half time with the lead after scoring the next 3 tries; Debutant fly half Jono Lance was involved in all 3 of their first half tries and looks to have given them an added dimension, Harlequins defensive frailties on show again. Quins scored a crucial try on the verge of halftime with Luamanu going over which meant the visitors- rueing 3 missed conversions went in at halftime with only a 1 point lead – 18-17
Whatever John Kingston said at halftime worked because Quins came out with purpose and vigour and within minutes they had scored their 3rd try to take the lead; Worcester didn’t control the ball from the scrum and Danny Care capitalised with some great football skills which were honed in the Sheffield Wednesday academy – make sure you catch the highlights below. Harlequins then scored 2 more tries in the next 20mins to confirm the try bonus point and take the game away from the warriors; Jamie Roberts the first to go over to give Wales coach Warren Gatland a timely reminder of what he is capable of after being dropped this week from the squad for the autumn internationals. The 2nd try coming from a Mike Brown quick throw after a worcester clearance found touch and Charlie Walker went on a mazy run evading 5 defenders to score under the posts. Worcester looked jaded but that wasn’t the end of the story, the visitors rewarded with 3 late tries to pick up the try bonus point, Hammond with the first two and Jack Singleton with the third. The losing bonus point rested on a successful conversion which now rested on the shoulders of Heathcote who converted successfully, their first successful conversion of the afternoon. Worcester going home with the least they deserved 2 bonus points, on another day with accuracy from the tee they could of been looking at an away win at the Twickenham stoop.
Harlequins will be relieved they got the try bonus point win at home but it could’ve easily been very different, Quins nearly lost this game with their defensive frailties but won it because of the visitors inaccuracy with their kicking and Danny Care spirited second half display. Quins have shipped more tries then they would of liked to, not only in this game but this season in all competitions, Attacking wise quins are fantastic, great to watch for the neutral, Quick passing, Smart offloads; Playing the “Quins Way!” however if they have ambitions of finishing in the top 4 or at minimum qualifying for the champions cup they will need to learn to defend well for 80 minutes not just in patches throughout games, they need to be more smarter with the ball, keep possession, make it difficult for the opposition and they need to be more convincing with the tackles; the opposition have had too many “easy” tries walking straight through the defence. There is no denying Harlequins have the quality in the squad but is worrying that a Worcester Warriors side who haven’t been able to score more than 2 tries in a match in the previous 6 rounds in the league come to the stoop and score 6 tries. Harlequins at the moment showing their attack is their best form of defence.
Harlequins 41 – 35 Worcester Warriors
