Fly-half Jamie Benson came off the bench to engineer an astonishing Harlequins comeback in the final quarter that secured their first away victory over Saracens in 13 years.
Harlequins, who had rested their big guns including Marcus Smith, Fin Baxter and Chandler Cunningham South, for “The Showdown” at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium were 12-0 down as late as the 60th minute.
However centre Ben Waghorn’s well-worked try gave Danny Wilson’s side hope before Benson, who had interrupted his professional rugby career to take a degree at Cambridge University, nervelessly kicked three long-range penalties to put Quins into the lead.
Then in nearly the last play of the game, Nick David burst down the left and put scrum-half Will Porter over in the corner to spark ecstatic celebrations among the Harlequins supporters inside the Spurs stadium.
Not only did Harlequins complete a double over their London rivals but they leap-frogged Saracens in the league, at least temporarily rising to fourth. It was not always a game of high quality with the teams committing 31 turnovers between them. However Wilson’s gamble to leave out his big names paid off as Quins dominated Saracens at the scrum and in the aerial battles thanks to the efforts of David and Rodrigo Isgro.
Then in the second half, Harlequins also started bossing the breakdown battle thanks to the twin efforts of flankers Jack Kenningham and Will Evans. For Saracens, this will feel like a sickener on so many levels after having moved into what seemed like a comfortable lead.
Harlequins looseness was summed up by Saracens’ opening try as Alex Dombrandt threw an intercept pass to Ivan van Zyl, who led a break into the Harlequins 22. With a penalty advantage, Jamie George tapped and went. Theo McFarland had both the combination of size and speed to score from close range.
Their second try was all about the magic of Alex Goode who threw a no-look behind-the-shoulder pass that sent Fergus Burke haring towards the corner and the fly-half put Tobias Elliott over.
Yet then Benson replaced Wales international Jarrod Evans at half-time to engineer an improbable victory.
05:20 PM GMT
Big impact from Benson
05:13 PM GMT
Saracens miss out on chance to move into top four
05:10 PM GMT
Premiership table
-
Bath- 46 points (11 games)
-
Bristol- 40 points (11 games)
-
Leicester- 40 points (12 games)
-
Harlequins- 36 points (12 games)
-
Gloucester- 35 points (11 games)
-
Sale- 34 points (12 games)
-
Saracens- 34 points (12 games)
-
Northampton- 26 points (12 games)
-
Exeter- 15 points (11 games)
-
Newcastle- 9 points (12 games)
05:09 PM GMT
Tale of two halves
Saracens were 12-0 up at the break and Harlequins did not get on the scoresheet until the hour mark. The visitors scored 23 points in the final 20 minutes whilst Saracens failed to register a point in the entirety of the second half.
05:08 PM GMT
Man of the match Jamie Benson speaking to TNT Sports
05:04 PM GMT
This weekend’s Premiership fixtures
Last night:
Northampton 0-33 Leicester
Newcastle 15-39 Sale
Today:
Saracens 12-23 Harlequins
Bristol vs Exeter 5.30pm
Tomorrow:
Bath vs Gloucester 3pm
05:01 PM GMT
Full time
The ball is smashed into touch and Harlequins secure a rare away victory at Saracens. That is their first away win against Saracens in 13 years and they complete a league double over Saracens. The final score: 12-23. Benson is named man of the match and he made a big impact off the bench at half time. They were pointless at the hour mark but have scored 23 points in the final quarter to claim what looked like an unlikely victory.
04:59 PM GMT
TRY! Porter seals it for Harlequins
They were down for so long in this match but Harlequins are going to win in north London. They win the ball back from a box-kick just outside the Saracens 22. Instead of just running down the clock, they spot space down the blindside and Riley finds David, who sprints into the Saracens 22 before offloading inside to Porter for the try. Benson nails yet another kick.
04:58 PM GMT
77 mins: Saracens 12 Harlequins 16
Saracens are in possession on the Harlequins 22 but the visitors win another crucial penalty at the breakdown. In this second half Harlequins have won a number of penalties at rucks, with Kenningham and W Evans causing Saracens all sorts of problems. That has flipped from the first half when Saracens were disrupting Harlequins at the breakdown.
Brantingham is limping off in some pain and Mawi is coming back on.
04:56 PM GMT
PENALTY HARLEQUINS!
Benson is showing some calmness under pressure as he nails yet another kick. Harlequins lead by four with just under four minutes to go.
04:54 PM GMT
76 mins: Saracens 12 Harlequins 13
Lozowski is going to be in trouble here and you could see him look worried when the camera panned to him. It is a swinging arm from Lozowski but W Evans was dipping as the tackle came in, which may save him from a red card. For a moment it looked like referee Adam Leal was just going to play on but luckily the TMO has stepped in. But it is only a penalty! That feels remarkable! It was a swinging arm yet it was deemed that there was not a lot of force in that. I would like to see a challenge with force if that is not forceful.
Benson is going to go for goal again.
04:51 PM GMT
75 mins: Saracens 12 Harlequins 13
There are a few bodies on the ground, including W Evans with a head injury. It appears it was a high tackle from Lozowski that caused it and this needs to be checked.
04:48 PM GMT
73 mins: Saracens 12 Harlequins 13
Tompkins has failed his HIA so replacement scrum-half Simpson is on and is playing on the wing.
04:47 PM GMT
72 mins: Saracens 12 Harlequins 13
Herbst is taken out in the air as he receives the kick-off and Harlequins are awarded the penalty.
04:46 PM GMT
PENALTY HARLEQUINS!
Benson nails the kick again and, for the first time today, Harlequins lead in north London with just under ten minutes to go.
04:46 PM GMT
70 mins: Saracens 12 Harlequins 10
Elliott is penalised for not rolling away as the tackler and this will be another shot at goal for Harlequins inside the Saracens half. The visitors point to the posts and Benson has the chance to put Harlequins into the lead for the first time today from nearly 50 metres out...
04:43 PM GMT
PENALTY HARLEQUINS!
It is flat and hard from Benson and it is effective as it dissects the posts to reduce Saracens’ lead to just two points.
04:43 PM GMT
68 mins: Saracens 12 Harlequins 7
Harlequins win a scrum penalty just inside the Saracens half. Riccioni is down for the hosts and is going to come off anyway to be replaced by Carey.
Harlequins point to the posts and it will be a lengthy kick for Benson.
Harlequins are slowly turning the table in the second half with Jack Kenningham and Will Evans now dominating the breakdown, which is severely limiting Saracens’ territory game. Ben Waghorn’s try after Oscar Beard’s searing break has brought them to within the score and now after another scrum penalty they get the opportunity to kick to the corner again.
04:40 PM GMT
66 mins: Saracens 12 Harlequins 7
Harlequins make a few changes in the front-row as Hobson and Riley are on for Lamositele and Walker. Hobson is making his Premiership debut.
04:39 PM GMT
65 mins: Saracens 12 Harlequins 7
Saracens approach the Harlequins 22 but Kenningham and W Evans work brilliantly in tandem to win the visitors the penalty at the breakdown.
04:37 PM GMT
63 mins: Saracens 12 Harlequins 7
Lozowski should probably land the penalty but misses to the left. A let-off for Harlequins.
04:35 PM GMT
62 mins: Saracens 12 Harlequins 7
Saracens win a penalty on halfway and then Harlequins are marched back 10 yards for some words after the decision. Saracens take the pragmatic decision and point to the posts.
04:34 PM GMT
TRY! Waghorn gets Harlequins on the board
It has taken them an hour but they are on the scoresheet through a really nice try. He gets round the outside and spots a gap, which he sprints through. As he approaches the Saracens 22, he offloads inside to Waghorn who goes over untouched. The conversion is successful and suddenly there are just five points between the sides. That try really is owed to the individual quality of Beard, who made that try.
04:33 PM GMT
60 mins: Saracens 12 Harlequins 0
Onyeama-Christie is back from that horrible ankle injury suffered in the reverse fixture as Tompkins goes off for an HIA. A back-row replacing a centre. Interesting.
Gonzalez is actually fine to continue.
04:32 PM GMT
59 mins: Saracens 12 Harlequins 0
W Evans is slipping and going lower as he makes the tackle on Tompkins and, at worst, it is a glancing blow. The TMO has decided this needs a formal review. There is head-on-head contact but at most it is a glancing blow. It is probably a penalty but nothing more. Referee Adam Leal is not convinced initially there is head contact but is convinced by the TMO that it is penalty-worthy. Common sense prevails and it is only a penalty. That would have felt very, very harsh if it had been any more than that.
04:29 PM GMT
58 mins: Saracens 12 Harlequins 0
Saracens will be worried about this is Gonzalez has been down for a few minutes and looks in pain.
The TMO is taking a look at a hit from W Evans on Tompkins...
04:25 PM GMT
56 mins: Saracens 12 Harlequins 0
W Evans tries to steal possession at a ruck deep inside the Saracens 22 but referee Adam Leal penalises him for coming in at the side.
Green is on at full-back for Harlequins in place of Halfpenny.
04:23 PM GMT
55 mins: Saracens 12 Harlequins 0
Harlequins have it just five metres shy of the Saracens line but Herbst, on as a replacement, knocks on after a big tackle. Daly then attempts a crossfield kick from behind his own try line that goes horribly wrong but we go back for the knock-on.
04:21 PM GMT
53 mins: Saracens 12 Harlequins 0
Harlequins get a good shove on at the scrum and win the penalty just inside the Saracens half as Brantingham, only just on the field, is penalised. The visitors kick into the Saracens 22 and make a change as Els replaces W Jones at loosehead prop for Harlequins.
04:19 PM GMT
51 mins: Saracens 12 Harlequins 0
Three changes in the pack for Saracens as Dan, Brantingham and Isiekwe replace George, Mawi and Tizard.
04:17 PM GMT
49 mins: Saracens 12 Harlequins 0
Itoje offloads at the perfect moment to Gonzalez, who picks a sublime line just inside his own half and rampages into the Harlequins half. Her offloads to Burke, who then passes inside to van Zyl. The scrum-half is brought down just five metres from the Harlequins line but, a few phases later, W Evans steps in with a crucial intervention and wins Harlequins a penalty at the breakdown under his own posts with the visitors under huge pressure.
04:15 PM GMT
47 mins: Saracens 12 Harlequins 0
Benson has definitely had an impact since coming on at half time for Harlequins. Remember there is no Marcus Smith today for the visitors as he is taking his rest week following his exploits with England in the Six Nations.
04:11 PM GMT
43 mins: Saracens 12 Harlequins 0
Harlequins have possession deep inside the Saracens 22 but concede the penalty. Another visit into the Saracens 22 that does not yield any points for the away side.
04:10 PM GMT
42 mins: Saracens 12 Harlequins 0
McFarland charges down a Porter box-kick on halfway and it comes into the hands of Willis, who rampages forward. His offload though is intercepted by Benson. Porter then unleashes a sublime kick which rolls all the way into the Saracens 22 and he gets a 50-22 so Harlequins will have the lineout in the Saracens 22.
04:07 PM GMT
Second half
We are back under way at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Will Saracens complete the victory to move into the top four or can Harlequins turn around a 12-point deficit?
Harlequins have made a change at the break as Benson replaces J Evans in the backs.
04:03 PM GMT
HT verdict
That Goode pass to set up Elliot’s try was by far the best moment of a rather disappointing first half which really emphasised the drop off in quality from international to club rugby. There are aspects that would appeal to the purists - Quins are dominating the scrum and aerial contests, while Saracens are bossing the contest on the floor. But there have been a staggering number of largely unforced errors. Harlequins probably don’t deserve to be trailing 12-0 but have been appropriately punished for their looseness.
04:01 PM GMT
This weekend’s Premiership fixtures
Last night:
Northampton 0-33 Leicester
Newcastle 15-39 Sale
Today:
Saracens 12-0 Harlequins HT
Bristol vs Exeter 5.30pm
Tomorrow:
Bath vs Gloucester 3pm
03:52 PM GMT
Half time
Burke kicks the ball out of play and, at the break, Saracens lead 12-0 thanks to tries from McFarland and Elliott at either end of the first half.
03:50 PM GMT
TRY! Elliott over in the corner after clever Goode offload
Saracens have a penalty advantage but they do not need it. They shift it into the hands of the backs and Elliott will owe Goode a beer after a sublime offload from the experienced full-back. He offloads brilliantly to Burke running round behind him and the fly-half gets to the outside. The pass then goes out to Elliott on the right wing and he goes over from close range. The conversion is missed but Saracens lead 12-0.
03:50 PM GMT
38 mins: Saracens 7 Harlequins 0
Saracens are awarded a penalty on the Harlequins 10-metre line as Dombrandt is penalised for not rolling away. Burke’s kick to touch is excellent, giving the hosts an attacking lineout deep in the Harlequins 22 as we approach half time...
03:46 PM GMT
36 mins: Saracens 7 Harlequins 0
Harlequins make good ground to the Saracens 22 but J Evans’ quick pass out to Dombrandt is adjudged to have gone forward. J Evans looks surprised that the pass was given as a forward pass but it looks like it just drifted forward.
03:43 PM GMT
33 mins: Saracens 7 Harlequins 0
Harlequins work it nicely down the left wing and take it into the Saracens 22 but J Evans knocks on as he was tackled by Willis. An important tackle from the Saracens number eight.
03:41 PM GMT
32 mins: Saracens 7 Harlequins 0
That is superb work from W Evans, who steals possession at the breakdown for the visitors at a crucial moment inside his own 22.
03:40 PM GMT
30 mins: Saracens 7 Harlequins 0
Saracens this time win the penalty at the scrum meaning it is now 1-1 in terms of scrum penalties. The kick from Burke this time is much better and Saracens will have a lineout inside the Harlequins 22.
03:36 PM GMT
28 mins: Saracens 7 Harlequins 0
Tompkins causes problems at the Harlequins ruck just inside their own half and Dombrandt is penalised for being offside. Burke though misses touch as he is too aggressive with his kick towards the corner so Harlequins will have the scrum where the original penalty was. Saracens are definitely disrupting the breakdown when Harlequins are in possession so the visitors perhaps need to be looking more at the details around the ruck. Harlequins like to disrupt opposition breakdowns through the likes of Kenningham and W Evans but at the moment they are being caused issues at their own rucks.
03:34 PM GMT
25 mins: Saracens 7 Harlequins 0
Quins have had three penalties in eminently kickable range, kicked all of them to the corner and have come away empty handed. Of course, there is a large degree of hindsight bias here but in a nip and tuck London derby it seems to be arrogance bordering on madness not to take the points when they are an offer.
03:31 PM GMT
22 mins: Saracens 7 Harlequins 0
Saracens cause huge problems at a ruck under their own posts and steal possession. They then win a penalty and can escape their 22. Missed opportunity for Harlequins, who will be disappointed to come away without any points there. Should they have taken three points when it was on offer?
03:30 PM GMT
21 mins: Saracens 7 Harlequins 0
Harlequins win the lineout and set the maul. Saracens come in from the side and Harlequins have a penalty advantage. Nothing comes from it so we go back for the original penalty. J Evans puts it back into the corner five metres out...
03:28 PM GMT
19 mins: Saracens 7 Harlequins 0
Harlequins win the penalty at the scrum on Saracens’ feed just outside the hosts’ 22 and we have the first flare-up of the match. Instead of going for three, Harlequins go to the corner.
03:27 PM GMT
18 mins: Saracens 7 Harlequins 0
Harlequins approach the Saracens 22 but Kenningham knocks on in contact. Harlequins have weathered the storm and are starting to come into the game.
Saracens are being forced into an early injury-enforced change as Segun has injured his shoulder/ pectoral muscle in a tackle earlier on Isgro. He had been struggling for a few minutes and could not continue. Goode is on in his place and comes on in his customary full-back position so Daly shifts out to the wing.
03:24 PM GMT
16 mins: Saracens 7 Harlequins 0
David is back on for Harlequins as the blood has been cleared up from his head.
03:22 PM GMT
15 mins: Saracens 7 Harlequins 0
Harlequins win the lineout but Saracens do a good job of stopping the maul, forcing the visitors to get the ball out. Harlequins have it inside the Saracens 22 but the ball comes loose from a breakdown and Saracens hack the ball forward to clear their lines. Not enough attention to detail around the ruck there from Harlequins.
03:21 PM GMT
13 mins: Saracens 7 Harlequins 0
Burke nearly pulls off a neat 50-22 but instead it rolls dead. In an attempt to try and dive on the ball Burke goes sliding forward and ends up accidentally taking out J Evans, who fortunately is ok as that could have been nasty. Harlequins will have a scrum inside the Saracens half.
They move it out to the right and Isgro is tackled not far outside the Saracens 22. They are awarded a penalty, which will allow them to kick into the corner. Van Zyl is the guilty party for being offside.
03:17 PM GMT
10 mins: Saracens 7 Harlequins 0
Saracens punishing Quins for a loose, loose start. Jarrod Evans had already skirted with danger with a crossfield kick before Alex Dombrandt threw an intercept to Ivan van Zyl which resulted in Theo McFarland’s opening try. Segun then nearly carves through Quins defensive line on a first phase attack. Danny Wilson’s side really need to wake up otherwise the game could get away from them quickly.
03:16 PM GMT
9 mins: Saracens 7 Harlequins 0
Saracens work it down the left and McFarland is brought down five metres from the Harlequins. Mawi looks like he might score but he drops the ball over the line and the chance is gone for the home side. Harlequins need to wake up or they could be out of this game quickly like they were in this fixture a year ago.
03:15 PM GMT
8 mins: Saracens 7 Harlequins 0
Harlequins are under the cosh here and need to weather this storm. Saracens are on it inside the Harlequins 22...
03:14 PM GMT
7 mins: Saracens 7 Harlequins 0
We are watching some replays of the build-up to the try. Just before Dombrandt threw the interception, there was an accidental offside from Saracens but because the try came after a penalty after the offside the officials cannot go back. Harlequins can probably feel aggrieved there.
03:11 PM GMT
TRY! McFarland over from short range
George takes it quickly and Harlequins are scrambling on their line. The ball is recycled to McFarland, who cannot be stopped from a few metres out. Lozowski converts the try and Saracens lead 7-0.
03:11 PM GMT
4 mins: Saracens 0 Harlequins 0
Dombrandt has possession just outside the Saracens 22 but van Zyl intercepts and kicks the ball ahead. It keeps trickling towards the Harlequins line and the visitors just about gather five metres out from their line. They go off their feet however and Saracens win the penalty...
03:09 PM GMT
2 mins: Saracens 0 Harlequins 0
The first scrum of the game will be Harlequins’ feed just inside the Saracens half after a forward pass from Daly. J Evans attempts a crossfield kick but Isgro is not on the same page. That was very strange as it was as if Isgro was not expecting J Evans to do that one bit.
Harlequins are forced into a very early blood replacement as Green is on for David.
03:06 PM GMT
Kick-off
We are under way at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Will Saracens move into the top four or can Harlequins leapfrog today’s hosts?
03:04 PM GMT
Kick-off fast approaching
The crowd at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium have been treated to plenty of pre-match entertainment and the fire cannons are in full force.
Harlequins, led out by captain Alex Dombrandt, emerge first before Saracens, led by England captain Maro Itoje, come out.
By my reckoning, the stadium announcer has asked the crowd to “make some noise” on at least five occasions, a plea which either fell on deaf ears or mute tongues at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Maybe I am being a curmudgeon who is far removed from the target demographic but the attempts to artificially generate atmosphere by screaming “let’s go” is among the worst aspects of the modern sporting experience.
03:01 PM GMT
Reminder of the teams
Saracens starting XV: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Tobias Elliott, 13 Alex Lozowski, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Rotimi Segun, 10 Fergus Burke, 9 Ivan van Zyl; 1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Jamie George, 3 Marco Riccioni , 4 Maro Itoje (c), 5 Hugh Tizard, 6 Theo McFarland, 7 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 8 Tom Willis
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Phil Brantingham, 18 Alec Clarey, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Andy Onyeama-Christie, 21 Nathan Michelow, 22 Gareth Simpson, 23 Alex Goode
Harlequins starting XV: 15. Leigh Halfpenny, 14. Rodrigo Isgro, 13. Oscar Beard, 12. Ben Waghorn, 11. Nick David, 10. Jarrod Evans, 9. Will Porter; 1. Wyn Jones, 2. Jack Walker, 3. Titi Lamositele, 4. Joe Launchbury, 5. Stephan Lewies, 6. Jack Kenningham, 7. Will Evans, 8. Alex Dombrandt (c)
Replacements: 16. Sam Riley, 17. Jordan Els, 18. Will Hobson, 19. Irne Herbst, 20. George Hammond, 21. Jake Murray, 22. Jamie Benson, 23. Tyrone Green
02:58 PM GMT
Andy Onyeama-Christie speaking to TNT Sports
02:55 PM GMT
Hosts getting ready
02:52 PM GMT
What happened in this fixture a year ago...
02:47 PM GMT
Premiership table
-
Bath- 46 points (11 games)
-
Bristol- 40 points (11 games)
-
Leicester- 40 points (12 games)
-
Gloucester- 35 points (11 games)
-
Sale- 34 points (12 games)
-
Saracens- 34 points (11 games)
-
Harlequins- 32 points (11 games)
-
Northampton- 26 points (12 games)
-
Exeter- 15 points (11 games)
-
Newcastle- 9 points (12 games)
02:40 PM GMT
Visitors gearing up
02:37 PM GMT
Fans gathering
02:33 PM GMT
Get your fix
02:27 PM GMT
Full team news
Jamie George and Maro Itoje start for Saracens after returning from England duty whilst Ben Earl is rested. Scotland international Andy Onyeama-Christie returns to the bench for the first time in the Premiership since sustaining a bad ankle injury in the reverse fixture back in October.
Saracens starting XV: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Tobias Elliott, 13 Alex Lozowski, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Rotimi Segun, 10 Fergus Burke, 9 Ivan van Zyl; 1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Jamie George, 3 Marco Riccioni , 4 Maro Itoje (c), 5 Hugh Tizard, 6 Theo McFarland, 7 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 8 Tom Willis
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Phil Brantingham, 18 Alec Clarey, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Andy Onyeama-Christie, 21 Nathan Michelow, 22 Gareth Simpson, 23 Alex Goode
Harlequins have opted to rest Marcus Smith, Fin Baxter and Chandler Cunningham-South. There is no Danny Care due to a foot injury so Will Porter starts at scrum-half with Welsh fly-half Jarrod Evans outside him. British and Irish Lion Leigh Halfpenny starts at full-back.
Harlequins starting XV: 15. Leigh Halfpenny, 14. Rodrigo Isgro, 13. Oscar Beard, 12. Ben Waghorn, 11. Nick David, 10. Jarrod Evans, 9. Will Porter; 1. Wyn Jones, 2. Jack Walker, 3. Titi Lamositele, 4. Joe Launchbury, 5. Stephan Lewies, 6. Jack Kenningham, 7. Will Evans, 8. Alex Dombrandt (c)
Replacements: 16. Sam Riley, 17. Jordan Els, 18. Will Hobson, 19. Irne Herbst, 20. George Hammond, 21. Jake Murray, 22. Jamie Benson, 23. Tyrone Green
02:22 PM GMT
Visitors arriving
02:15 PM GMT
‘It was like a horror movie’: Recovery from one of rugby’s most gruesome injuries
Andy Onyeama-Christie feared his career was over when he suffered a gruesome ankle injury in the reverse fixture back in October back at The Stoop. He makes his Premiership return today on his 26th birthday as he takes his place on the Saracens bench. Our deputy rugby union correspondent Daniel Schofield has sat down for a chat with the Saracens back-row.
02:09 PM GMT
Hosts arriving
02:04 PM GMT
Harlequins team news
02:02 PM GMT
Saracens team news
01:59 PM GMT
Match preview
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hosts The Showdown as Saracens take on London rivals Harlequins as the Premiership returns from a two-month hiatus. Having taken a break during the Six Nations, attention now turns back to domestic rugby as we look ahead to the run-in with seven Premiership games left in the regular season.
Saracens begin the day in sixth but have the chance to potentially move into the top four with a victory by the end of the round. Their director of rugby Mark McCall has opted to include a number of his England internationals like Jamie George and Maro Itoje. All England players that had more than 80% game involvement during the Six Nations will have to be rested at some point in the next three weeks. Fresh from leading England during the Six Nations, Itoje is excited for today’s clash against their London rivals, with this fixture standing out to him in the calendar
“When the fixtures come out at the start of the season this is always one that you circle straight away,” Itoje said. “To run out at this amazing stadium in front of so many fans is a memory that stays with us for a long time and there is enormous excitement amongst the squad about the occasion.
“Coming back into the club earlier this week was great and it is always special to have everyone reunited for what is a massive run of games coming up. Our matches against Harlequins are always huge and with so much riding on this game in terms of the league I am sure Saturday [today] will be no exception. They showed their quality when we played them earlier in the season so we know we will need to be at our best in Tottenham.”
Meanwhile Harlequins are currently seventh, just one place and two points behind their opponents. There is no Marcus Smith, Chandler Cunningham-South or Fin Baxter for the visitors as they take their mandatory rest this weekend. Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson know his side will have to be at their best today to beat Saracens
“We have all been looking forward to the return of the Gallagher Premiership and the opportunity to take Saracens in an unbelievable venue at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium,” Wilson said. “It is an exciting challenge for our group as we start the run-in against our local rivals. We know it is going to be a battle and we are going to have to put in an 80-minute performance to give us the best opportunity of securing a victory.”
Saracens have not lost at home to Harlequins in over a decade but in the reverse fixture back in October at The Twickenham Stoop, today’s visitors ran out 17-10 victors. That victory for Harlequins ended a run of eight straight defeats for today’s visitors as they claimed their first win over Saracens since January 2020. These sides met at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium nearly a year ago today with Saracens destroying Harlequins 52-7.
Kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is at 3.05pm.
