by It wasn’t long ago that Marcus Smith was getting used to being back in the half-back jersey after the World Cup but, make no mistake, he’s in the hole now. Ultimately, Smith proved the difference as Harlequins put on a show in their annual fixture here before Gloucester rallied and almost threatened the odds late in the game.
Steve Borthwick will no doubt be happy but the England head coach will be concerned about the fitness of Joe Marler, who went off with a hand injury before half-time. Ellis Genge is in touch for the Six Nations debut and Bevan Rodd and Val Rapava Ruskin are sidelined, leaving Borthwick very light on the loose prop. “There will be scans and we’ll wait and see,” said Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson, who also lost Dino Lamb and Stephan Lewies to injury. “We’re hoping they’re not too bad because they’re big players for us.”
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Smith was in the clear from the tee early on but that was the only blip on his copybook. He came up with two 50:22s, there was always an eye for a gap in the Gloucester defense and it was his overall class that helped Harlequins five tries, two from Nick David, condemn Gloucester to a club record-equalling eighth. direct league defeat. “I thought Marcus Smith was on another level,” admitted Gloucester’s director of rugby, George Skivington. “That’s to take nothing away from Quins as a team, I thought they were very good, but Marcus Smith showed his credentials.”
Danny Care, who played in all 15 of these games, and Alex Dombrandt performed well – as they usually do on these occasions – and although Gloucester rallied well late on, it’s been a terrible campaign for the Cherry & Whites already. up at Newcastle alone who remain winless this season. There was no need for Quins to be so polished here but with André Esterhuizen repeatedly punching holes and David and Oscar Beard coming up with fine try tackles in each half, they were too much for Gloucester on the day.
Harlequins like to sing and dance when they make the short journey across the road. The tickets were a bit cheaper, the annual fixture is well marketed and welcomes a trip where only the most dedicated still flock to the turkey but attracting nearly 77,000 spectators is no small feat – a lot more than England managed last time out. here.
As a result, a try was expected despite the gloomy weather and due to Smith’s inaccuracy from the warm-up, Harlequins were limited to five points in the first half. Quins opened the scoring after eight minutes of dominating territory and possession when Care headed to the line, which was headed to Esterhuizen before David was released. It was a big surprise when Gloucester responded with a timely try which was finished off by Adam Hastings.
Normal service resumed for Quins as Smith powered his way through before David was released down the left this time and Dombrandt added the third after further excellent work from Care. The former scrum half timed his kick past a brutal Gloucester defense perfectly with Dombrandt charging forward to collect, knocking out England rival Zach Mercer on his way to the line.
Dino Lamb, one of the standout performers of the season so far, added the bonus point try early in the second half with a sharp dive down the left wing but the Italian forward injured his shoulder in the process of scoring and made his way sharply. off the field.
His departure – coming not long after Marler’s – seemed to take the wind out of Harlequins’ sails a little. Gloucester capitalized and hurler George McGuigan went over for his side’s second.
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Harlequins’ response, however, was tenuous. Smith’s second 50:22 of the game gave them a line out in a threatening position from which Esterhuizen bulldozed over the gain and soon enough Care was sniping his way over under the posts. Quins started to attack and could not find a way through so Smith was not able to score before substitute Jonny May ran in Gloucester’s third try of the afternoon.
A penalty try – awarded for Tyrone Green’s deliberate kick to deny a certain effort down the left – caused a few nervous moments for Quins but Gloucester could not get the win they narrowly deserved.
