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Marcus Smith outshines Finn Russell but Bath have last laugh

By PA

Bath’s refusal to be beaten propelled them to a gripping 26-24 Gallagher Premiership victory over Harlequins made possible by Francois van Wyk’s late try.

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Quins led until the 77th minute of a seven-try thriller at The Stoop but were never able to relax against last season’s beaten finalists, who showed their resilience to stay in the fight with Thomas du Toit crossing before Van Wyk struck in the left corner to snatch victory.

Marcus Smith comfortably won his fly-half duel with Finn Russell, whose humdrum performance included twice kicking the ball beyond the dead-ball line in a second half that failed produce the fireworks seen in the opening 40 minutes.

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    In a boost for England ahead of New Zealand’s visit to Allianz Stadium on November 2, Smith was superb, with his crafty kick to set up the first of Rodrigo Isgro’s two tries a moment of genius.

    But it was not enough to prevent Quins crashing from defeat, the defensive steel they produced against Saracens last weekend eluding them when it mattered most.

    Fixture
    Gallagher Premiership
    Harlequins
    24 - 26
    Full-time
    Bath
    All Stats and Data

    It was almost five minutes in before the first break in play came and while Bath had the more effective start, it was Quins who claimed the opening try when Alex Dombrandt finished their first meaningful attack.

    Tom de Glanville was halted by the uprights as he went close to rounding off another strong Bath drive and having lost centre Cameron Redpath to muscle tightness during the warm-up, they saw back row Alfie Barbeary depart injured.

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    While the visitors struggled to turn field position and possession into points, Quins were delivering a masterclass in taking chances, although there was also a hint of magic in the second try.

    Shaping up to pass left after inroads had been made into the Bath defence, Smith instead kicked against the grain to the right wing where Isgro outjumped Austin Emens to catch and score.

    Bath hit back with a Guy Pepper try founded on their forward power and it was the work of their pack that enabled De Glanville to side-step his way over in the 33rd minute.

    A pulsating first half was not done yet as Quins plugged away from a line-out drive until Argentinian sevens superstar Isgro spied his opportunity to grab and drive across the whitewash.

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    Night had fallen when the players emerged from the interval and the pace disappeared from the game until the arrival of Chandler Cunningham-South off the bench injected life into the home attack.

    Russell kicked the ball dead to invite pressure on to Bath and they were in serious danger when Smith released Luke Northmore with a delayed pass that sent the centre screaming into space.

    Pepper intervened illegally at the ruck when Northmore was stopped and having been sent to the sin bin, Smith kicked a penalty.

    Quins led 24-14 but their opponents’ response was immediate when Du Toit completed a sharp attack.

    An important moment was partially undone when Russell then sent a free-kick bouncing past the dead-ball line, giving the home side another chance to camp themselves upfield.

    But having weathered the storm, Bath showed their mettle to strike in the left corner in the 77th minute through replacement prop Van Wyk.

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    Comments

    1 Comment
    C
    Carlos 275 days ago

    Isgro’s first game (I think), scores two tries and gets just a brief mention of being seven’s super star.


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    P
    PL 2 hours ago
    Lions Tour Aussie takes: Bigger is better, the stars who failed to fire

    I find it interesting that journalists who have done nothing in rugby comment on selections & coaching like they are experts

    Concussive injury’s will remove insurance cover from the game unless their is strict application of the laws designed to remove MND Parkinson’s and CTE from the game


    Head on head I saw red to Adam Coleman as tackler for Irish while unconscious on a stretcher - concussions occur without twitching on the ground or the wobbly boot - I know I had maybe 20 from rugby


    The officiating of last feet is non existent

    The lack of effective wrap by Lions front rower & that decision had a close relationship with ordure in a toilet

    A head on head tackle red for Coleman not even penalty lead to a try in a phase or 2


    Powys v Evans lead to a £> 2 mill verdict against the ref personally special leveraged to Hiuse of Lords

    Refs will stop reffing with no insurance then no game


    About 5 years ago 4 or 5 French colts died from head hits in elite club games - that led to below sternum law - hamlets honoured in breach not observance

    Last feet non existent - enforcement favour flowing rugby nor lions meat grinder forwards get momentum and puck & drive NZ Vowel noise


    The UK Class Action could be very well be lost WRC will try every dirty trick in case they already used dial a neuros to argue the unarguable is law gossip


    I reffed ref coached & assessed for ruffly 17 seasons


    The application of laws is like a zig zag on speed

    Line out laws not enforced scrums tight pulling loose down one side mirror on other side elbow pointing to ground stretch marks on jersey

    Der moment the refs need to go Soec Savers

    My bet unless they stop lack of intestinal fortitude game management


    Yellow every time head contact or above sternum


    Needs sterner GMGs material impact removed set piece caterpillar remove

    Last feet to last feet + 1 m


    When I reffed I kept them well apart - hated me till they got over yellow and they actually had fun & complemented me post game backs had room and pick and drive had momentum


    As for intentional foul play like tackle in air auto red no replacement 100,000 fine player 250,000 club


    Treble it for international 26 week suspension & it’s disappear over night

    25 were scrum for dissent


    Penalty all this rubbish shots at opponents after error


    All the s.ite would disappear


    The pathetic unsportsmanlike behaviour would lead to standards


    Remember Les Boyd’s penalty re Brohman -if that is the way we treat foul play but while foul play with potential serious injury with a feather duster like we are the game is destined to no insurance following that no refs cause would you risk bankruptcy like Powys v Evans

    1 Go to comments
    S
    Soliloquin 3 hours ago
    Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

    For Fischer, many people in France are still doubting him - it’s the first time he has a full season (31 games). Before, he was always injured at some point. He’s 27, so not the youngest, and you have a younger Boudehent or Jégou behind.

    His physicality is incredible, but he didn’t prove he’s got hands. He just proved he was able to defend like a beast.

    But you know, even Cros has improved his handling skills lately, so it’s never too late!

    And he will play the Champions Cup with a solid Bayonne side, so let’s see!


    I don’t agree with ‘only Fischer’: Brennan proved he’s a great 4/7 utility player, and Galthié likes those very much (Woki or Flament). He’s 23, playing for Toulouse with high concurrence, so the prospect is good. I rate him higher than Auradou, who had a few games in the 6 Nations.

    For Depoortère, he had a more silent season than the previous one - injured at the worst moment during the Autumn Tests series - but came back strong with a Champions Cup and a solid partnership with Moefana. What could save him would be to start playing as a 12 when Moefana isn’t there, bulking up and become the new Jauzion.

    But he’s 22 and an incredible talent at 13. His height makes me think he had more potential than your fan favorite Costes or the utility player that is Gailleton.


    As for Montagne or Mallez, with the lack of quality in props, they could find a spot!

    Especially Mallez who’s got a good spot to get behind Baille at Toulouse. Neti isn’t the youngest and hasn’t an international level.


    And again, as Ugo Mola said, you never play with your best team.

    So 30-32 player is more of a 38-40, so you need back-ups.

    France knows very well how useful they can be during RWCs.

    237 Go to comments
    S
    Soliloquin 3 hours ago
    Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

    Hastoy was a good prospect before the 2023 RWC, he was the fly-half who led La Rochelle to the victory in the Champions Cup final in Dublin against Leinster.

    But he made it to the squad only because Ntamack got his ACL.

    He played against Uruguay, which a terribly poor game by the French side, and since then he declined a bit, alongside his club.

    Under the pressure of Reus and West at 10, he regained some credit at the end of the season (among all a drop at the 81st minute of a game).

    He’s quite good everywhere, but not outstanding.

    He doesn’t have the nerves, the defense and the tactical brain of Ntamack, the leadership and the creativity of Ramos or the exceptional attacking skills of Jalibert.


    I really hope that:

    -Ntamack will get his knee back. The surgery went well. He wasn’t the most elusive player in the world, but he was capable of amazing rushes like the one against NZ in 2021 or the Brennus-winning try in 2023.

    -Jalibert will continue to improve his defense. He started working hard since March (after his defensive disaster against England) with a XIII specialist, and I’ve seen great moments, especially against Ntamack in the SF of the Champions Cup. It’s never too late. And it would be a great signal for Galthié.

    -Hastoy will build up his partnership with Le Garrec, that La Rochelle will start a new phase with them and Niniashvili, Alldritt, Atonio, Boudehent, Jegou, Bosmorin, Bourgarit, Nowell, Wardi, Daunivucu, Kaddouri, Pacôme…

    237 Go to comments
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