Harlequins 22 – 19 Northampton Saints: Player Ratings as the Londoners grab a bonus point win in an evenly matched affair

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Harlequins grabbed a victory against Northampton Saints in a game of fine margins. With plenty of youth and raw talent on display, the match did not disappoint. Both teams were evenly matched throughout the contest and either side could have clinched the win.

The first few minutes saw a moment of controversy as Cassius Cleaves was caught high by James Ramm whilst going for the corner. Referee Luke Pearce adjudged it to have made no neck contact so play continued. Minutes later, Northampton opened the scoring through Tom Pearson after eleven minutes. George Makepeace-Cubitt was exceptional in the buildup with a lovely step, break and offload before Pearson was able to finish off the move.

Quins responded after a leggy spell as Cleaves finally got over to record his first Premiership try. Jarrod Evans was unable to convert, unlike his fly half counterpart Makepeace-Cubitt, who slotted both of his kicks in the first half.

The home side suffered a blow as James Chisholm had to leave the field with an ankle injury.

Saints were then able to extend their lead through a barnstorming carry from Tarek Haffar as he powered through the Quins defence on the line.

Just before the end of the first half, Chisholm’s replacement, Tom Lawday, brought Quins back into the contest. A jerky run from Nick David gave Quins the platform and Lawday was able to cross over for the score.

HALF TIME – HARLEQUINS 10 – 14 NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

Saints struck again early on in the second half through Tom Seabrook. James Ramm was able to get the ball out wide to Seabrook with the scrambling Harlequins defence unable to reach him.

However, after this point, Harlequins took the game into their hands. They responded almost immediately with a lovely score. Some neat hands, involving all of the backs, ended with Joseph racing away to score under the posts.

After a scrappy twenty minutes or so, Quins finally got the game-winning try with the impressive Cleaves showing tremendous to dot down for his second try.

Jarrod Evans was unable to convert again which led to a nervy ending in the last few minutes. Northampton had field position as the clock hit the red but were unable to take the game away from the Londoners.

As a result, Harlequins won with a bonus point victory and rose to fifth position in the league on the night. For Saints, their winless away run in the league stretch to eight matches since March 2024.

Read our stats and player ratings below.

HARLEQUINS: 22

Tries: 4 (Cleaves 25′, 76′, Lawday 39′, Joseph 50′)

Conversions: 1 (J. Evans 51′)

Penalties: 0

Drop Goals: 0

Yellow Cards: 0

Red Cards: 0

Starting XV: 15. Tyrone Green 14. Nick David 13. Will Joseph 12. Ben Waghorn 11. Cassius Cleaves 10. Jarrod Evans 9. Danny Care; 1. Wyn Jones 2. Jack Walker 3. Simon Kerrod 4. Joe Launchbury 5. Stephan Lewies (c) 6. Jack Kenningham 7. Will Evans 8. James Chisholm

Replacements: 16. Sam Riley 17. Jordan Els 18. Dillon Lewis 19. Irne Herbst 20. Tom Lawday 21. Will Porter 22. Jamie Benson 23. Leigh Halfpenny

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS: 19

Tries: 3 (Pearson 11′, Haffar 29′, Seabrook 46′)

Conversions: 2 (Makepeace-Cubitt 12′, 29′)

Penalties: 0

Drop Goals: 0

Yellow Cards: 0

Red Cards: 0

STARTING XV: 15. James Ramm 14. Tom Litchfield 13. Charlie Savala 12. Rory Hutchinson 11. Tom Seabrook 10. George Makepeace-Cubitt 9. Archie McParland; 1. Tarek Haffar 2. Henry Walker 3. Trevor Davison 4. Temo Mayanavanua 5. Tom Lockett 6. Josh Kemeny (c) 7. Tom Pearson 8. Juarno Augustus

Replacements: 16. Craig Wright 17. Tom West 18. Luke Green 19. Ed Prowse 20. Callum Hunter-Hill 21. Angus Scott-Young 22. Tom James 23. Will Glister

HARLEQUINS PLAYER RATINGS

15. Tyrone Green – 8

The full back was at his best for large parts of the game. He was unbeatable in the air and put in a great shift defensively. His standout moment was fending off two Saints players in a ruck on his own line. Sheer strength.

14. Nick David – 7

Lovely offload in buildup to Cleaves’ score with some great running lines. His ability to break tackles is underrated. Good performance.

13. Will Joseph – 7

The outside centre is strongly rumoured to be swapping the Quarters for the Cherry and Whites at the end of the season but now the coaches must surely be wondering why they did not bend hell and earth to keep him.

12. Ben Waghorn – 8

A mature and classy performance from the young man. It is hard to believe this was only his second start of the season. Big things are coming for him.

11. Cassius Cleaves – 9

Pace. Agility. Strength. What more could you want? An absolute machine, full of talent and showed off all his best attributes. A late try to seal victory for Quins was enough to send the Stoop into raptures. Unlucky not to get a hat-trick.

10. Jarrod Evans – 7

Filled the sizable Marcus Smith void well. Did fairly well commanding the players around him in a very loose and open match. Let down by his place kicking.

9. Danny Care – 6

Not a memorable night for the veteran. Was replaced on the 45th minute by Porter who was able to get more out of his colleagues but did not put a foot wrong.

1. Wyn Jones – 6

Quiet game for the Welshman but like Care, did his job decently well.

2. Jack Walker – 6

Sorted his lineout throwing out for the match and operated well.

3. Simon Kerrod – 7

He has only had a handful of opportunities this season for Quins but took this one with both hands. Has to start over Lamisotele.

4. Joe Launchbury – 6

We have not seen the Launchbury of old yet in a Quins shirt and this game was the same. Nothing outstanding to note.

5. Stephan Lewies (c) – 6

Much like his second row partner, Lewies did his job and that was about it.

6. Jack Kenningham – 7

Contributed with some key turnovers and tackles. Good performance.

7. Will Evans – 8

The fact that Evans is being overlooked for an England call up is testament to the incredible depth that Borthwick has in the back row at his disposal. The usual turnovers and was a nusiance all over the field.

8. James Chisholm – 6

Played twenty minutes before being forced off through an ankle injury. Had a couple decent moments in his short time on the pitch with some strong carries and dominant tackles.

Replacements – 8

Ultimately, the Quins bench changed their fortune after being down at half time. Jamie Benson was outstanding and should be afforded more opportunities in the future. Will Porter was able to speed the game up when he came on and is learning extremely well from Danny Care’s experience. England call up pending?

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS PLAYER RATINGS

15. James Ramm – 7

He was lucky to get away with high shot on Cleaves in the opening minutes but contributed well. He is always solid at the back and was unfortunate to be on the losing end of the scoreboard.

14. Tom Litchfield – 6

Saints missed the speed of Sleightholme and carrying ability in George Hendy, which Litchfield could not replicate.

13. Charlie Savala – 6

Perhaps not suited to the outside centre role but such is the state of reality when England duty and injuries are rife throughout the squad.

12. Rory Hutchinson – 7

Always a dependable player and this game was no different. Did well throughout the match.

11. Tom Seabrook – 7

Another score for the winger who is staking his claim for the 11 jersey. Seems to be finally kicking on after his move from Gloucester in 2023.

10. George Makepeace-Cubitt – 8

Smart attacking kicking in the opening ten minutes and a brilliant step, break and offload for the first score. Played well with McParland. The young man should be commended highly for his showing.

9. Archie McParland – 7

Combined well with Makepeace-Cubitt and generated lots of quick ball. He is only going to improve from here.

1. Tarek Haffar – 7

Crashed over for Saints’ second score and was ruthless in the scrum. Lots of stuff here to be proud of.

2. Henry Walker – 6

A night unmemorable for hookers but did not put a foot wrong.

3. Trevor Davison – 7

Perhaps an outside call for an England call up. Always reliable in the scrum and put in a solid shift.

4. Temo Mayanavanua – 7

Simply a workhorse. Doing a lot of the hard graft and unseen work.

5. Tom Lockett – 6

Powerful defensive work to force Quins around the outside of the defence. However, this is where Quins are the most dangerous.

6. Josh Kemeny (c) – 7

A mainstay of the Saints starting XV now. He has truly settled into life in the Premiership and played well with a sizable chip on his shoulder.

7. Tom Pearson – 8

Scored a well-worked try at the start of the match and was only overshadowed by the sheer brilliance of Kenningham and Evans.

8. Juarno Augustus – 7

A big miss to Saints when he moves on at the end of the season. Another good match and contributed well with some tackles and carries.

Replacements – 6

Perhaps the Saints substitutes could have performed better as Quins had the upperhand in the second half. Saints were unlucky to have many injuries and a large amount of the side are away with the England squad. If they were not, the game could have ended very differently. The replacements were alright given the circumstances.

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