HARLEQUINS PLAYER RATINGS: MARCUS SMITH WINS PERSONAL DUEL WHILE ENGLAND HOPEFUL MAKES A STATEMENT
After a 38-26 defeat to Toulouse in their Investec Champions Cup semi-final at Le Stadium on Sunday, here’s our player ratings for Harlequins.
Harlequins player ratings v Toulouse
15 Tyrone Green: Ran a powerful line in the build-up to Marcus Smith‘s early try and an even better one for his crossing in the second period. Low on errors and solid under the high ball, Green finished with an impressive 125 metres from 13 carries. 8
14 Louis Lynagh: The Italy international’s wonderful 50:22 kick in the first half led to Will Evans going over from the resulting maul. Saw much more of the ball after the break and gave everything to the cause before being replaced late on. 7
13 Luke Northmore: Came off second best to the outstanding Paul Costes in the first half but, like Harlequins, improved as the game wore on. Won a key breakdown penalty on the hour mark. 5
12 Andre Esterhuizen: Quins needed his physicality more than ever against this mighty French side, and he brought it in the carry and tackle. They will miss the Springbok next season. 7
11 Cadan Murley: Looked for work in midfield in the first half and got his reward in the second. That was an incredible finish from Murley on the left sideline and he played a big part in Green’s score soon after. A statement performance from the England hopeful. 8
Antoine Dupont double fires Toulouse to Champions Cup title showdown with Leinster
10 Marcus Smith: Backed himself for his try when men were outside, and it paid off as he dotted down closer to the uprights and followed that up with a lovely assist for Murley’s score. Looks much calmer and mature as a fly-half in high-pressure games of late as he got the better of Romain Ntamack. 8
9 Danny Care: Perhaps he wouldn’t tap and go if he had his chance again, as Emmanuel Meafou was surely destined for a yellow card for that ruck infringement in the first half. A minor negative in an otherwise solid showing from the veteran, who relished his battle with the great Antoine Dupont. 6
Planet Rugby’s player ratings key.
Loose forwards
8 Alex Dombrandt: Struggled to make the impact he would have liked as Toulouse dominated the breakdown for large parts and thus limited the options for Quins in possession. 4
7 Will Evans: Raced over at the back of a maul while he was solid at the breakdown, as is his wont. Such a nuggety flanker who made nine tackles as well as a whopping 13 carries on the day. 7
6 Chandler Cunningham-South: Had an early lineout nicked from his grasp before the Matthis Lebel try and then Thibaut Flament picked his pocket in open play for his score. But boy did Cunningham-South respond. Hulking carries and his rip on Meafou set the tone for an excellent showing from the youngster. 8
5 Stephan Lewies: Another industrious showing from the South African as he got through plenty of work at ruck time while making eight tackles and 10 carries. 6
4 Irne Herbst: Harlequins needed his physicality today more than ever and Herbst fronted up in that department. He was also busy in the loose. 6
Props impress
3 Will Collier: Like Esterhuizen, Collier is a player Harlequins will sorely miss next season. He was a rock all game at the set-piece against France international Cyril Baille and contributed around the field as well. 7
2 Jack Walker: A stolen first lineout had little to do with his throw, and he was on the money for the most part thereafter. However, that dangerous clearout on Dupont that resulted in a yellow card was a costly error in judgement and impacts his rating. 6
1 Fin Baxter: Once again the hugely promising loosehead was solid in the set-piece and busy around the field in his 50 minutes on the field. Six carries and seven tackles to his name. 7
Replacements: James Chisholm and Will Porter added some bite to proceedings and Joe Marler was doing likewise until his moment of madness on Ramos that cost his side field position and possession. 5
2024-05-05T17:45:22Z dg43tfdfdgfd