Northampton 17-13 Harlequins as it happened

1. FT: Northampton 17-13 Harlequins
2. Samu Manoa, James Wilson and Tom Wood score tries for Saints
3. Nick Evans kicks two penalties for Quins
4. Marland Yarde with injury-time try for Harlequins
5. Wins sees Saints go 13 points clear at top of Premiership

But that will do us for tonight. I'll leave you with our match report from tonight's game, which saw Northampton Saints grind out a win over plucky Quins.

More to come

Chris Osborne

Plenty more Premiership action to squeeze in this weekend, make sure you catch some around your Six Nations viewing.

Northampton Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder tells BT Sport: "Fortunately our drive was strong. We're slightly disappointed that we conceded the late try and couldn't push for a bonus point.

"We're in a good position, but nobody will remember us being in this position if we don't achieve anything."

Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea tells BT Sport: "I thought we fought magnificently. The little things that happen - you need something to cling on to.

"The boys played until the end. We will look at our accuracy but there was a willingness to fight.

"We're here to win games, not come second, but the little things will turn when you have attitude like that."

Glance at the table

Chris Osborne

So, what's that do for the Premiership table?

Saints go 13 points clear at the top of the table, with bath at Exeter tomorrow.

They've reached the 60-point mark, which is usually enough to bag you a play-off spot.

Quins add a point to their tally, but the small glimmer of a play-off hope has faded for them.

Northampton were not in sizzling form tonight, but they have that little bit of nous to see out a game that others might lose.

They used the driving maul to perfection, and even though Quins were in resilient mood, they were overpowered.

Conor O'Shea will be pleased with their fight though, and that try at the end was just rewards.

Northampton Saints lock Courtney Lawes tells BT Sport: "I was champing at the bit. Two months out is a long time. I'm back in the nick of time hopefully.

"In the first half I was hurting. But I got a second wind in the second half."

Full-time

A fair result overall, with a nice bit of drama at the death.

Try (Yarde, con Evans)

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Well done Harlequins. They've grabbed a late, late losing bonus point and they fully deserve it for a battling performance.

Marland Yarde wriggles away and finds he has acres of space to run into and dot down.

The conversion from Nick Evans puts them within four points.

A final chance to snatch a bonus point for Harlequins in stoppage time, they're building patiently...

No try

It's not Harlequins' night, is it?

Charlie Walker goes over, and it looks like it might be a nervy finish for Saints.

But replays show there was a forward pass in the build up - so it's just disappointment for Quins.

Harlequins need something and they need it quick.

They've got their hands on the ball a bit more, and they're having a probe at the champions.

Quins will try and beat Saints at their own game, by going for a catch and drive in the corner.

Kyle Sinckler is treading a fine line.

Having already been sin-binned, he drags Ken Pisi out of play in an off-the-ball tackle.

No card for the prop, but a line-out for Saints.

Speaking of Courtney Lawes, here he is taking out poor Marland Yarde. It's a juicy tackle, and the Quins wing is a little rattled by it.

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Courtney Lawes, in his 150th Saints appearance, is causing havoc with some of his trademark tackles.

Quins don't roll away at the ruck and Saints fancy another go with the driving maul.

Harlequins are replenished by Kyle Sinckler's exit from the sin bin.

They could have done with him a minute go though.

Lennie Newman

Ex-Northampton team manager on BBC Radio Northampton

"Saints have really had to wear this really resilient, hard-working Quins side down. I have been really impressed by Quins tonight."

Try (Wood, missed con Myler)

It was all just too much for Quins.

The catch and drive comes, and Tom Wood, like a stealthy burglar, sneaks at the back, smuggling the ball forward.

The pack give him the room to touch down. But Stephen Myler misses the kick.

Kahn Fotuali'i, whose hair has grown about three feet in the last week it seems, wins a penalty, and Quins have to survive one more line-out.

The crowd are frustrated with the scrum again. it takes a few goes to get locked in.

Harlequins almost lose it, but escape and win a penalty. The sin-bin clock has about three minutes to run...

Lennie Newman

Ex-Northampton team manager on BBC Radio Northampton

"You just feel that one or two Quins players are going down with genuine injuries. Saints need to keep the pace of the ball up. I am still expecting a bonus point win."

And, Harlequins front up again, stopping George Pisi in his tracks and then getting the scrum from a knock-on.

The Franklin's Gardens crowd have come alive, adding a bit of noise to proceedings.

Meanwhile, Quins' George Robson has hobbled off with what looks like a leg injury.

It's all about survival for Quins now.

Stephen Myler has put a lovely penalty into the corner, and here comes the catch and drive.

It's threatening to fall apart for Harlequins.

They give it away in midfield, and Kahn Fotuali'i is almost away. But, to be fair, Quins scramble well and hold the hosts at bay.

Sin-bin (Sinckler)

Quins down to 14 men. Kyle Sinckler goes in low on Samu Manoa and smashes through the legs without wrapping the arms around. It looks painful.

Is this becoming Harlequins' calling card?

So much ball, so much pressure, so little to show for it.

Try (Wilson, missed con Myler)

It all proves so costly for Harlequins.

Saints get the driving maul going and then swing through the phases.

It spins across field and Tom Stephenson provides the final pass for James Wilson to go over in the corner.

Stephen Myler can't pick up the extras though.

Nightmare for Quins. Kahn Fotuali'i nicks it from Matt Hopper, who has no support at the breakdown.

And the visitors concede a penalty a few yards from the danger zone.

Northampton have been misfiring from the line-out tonight, and they do it again as Sam Dickinson takes out a man.

It means they're going to be back under pressure.

Harlequins will be wondering how they haven't scored in this half. Mark Lambert bulldozes to within half a foot of the line, but Quins concede a penalty by coming in from the side.

Booo. No more brother scrapping. Kahn Fotuali'i replaces Lee Dickson, so Karl will have to play nice now.

A reminder of Northampton's joker here.

They get fresh legs into the pack by bringing on Alex Corbisiero. Tom Wood's waiting in the wings too.

A few loops of the replay and it's tricky to tell if Marland Yarde is out of play when he dots down.

The TMO says he was, so no try.

Oh it's close. So close for Quins. Marland Yarde looks destined to go over, but it seems George Pisi may have just dragged him out of play.

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Chuck Macleod: Marching band at half-time woke up the crowd - let's hope for some better rugby in the second half.

Nick Powell: Could be Quins' day if they get a stroke of luck, big if though.

The brothers get a bit tasty. Karl Dickson is late on his younger sibling Lee. Great stuff.

Kick-off

Here we go again. Stephen Myler kicks, Harlequins keep it in the hand at the back.

A correspondent points out that the boos were probably for the referee.

Most likely, yes. But I personally thought Tim Wigglesworth let it flow nicely - aside from that messy scrum before the break.

A couple of stats from that first half for you.

Harlequins edged it in terms of metres (173 to 166), while they beat 14 defenders to Saints' four.

Everything else is pretty even - so Quins are close to getting it right. They just need to get a bit closer.

Get involved #bbcrugby

Now then, how do you feel about that first half Harlequins fans?

Is it the same old story, play well but not winning? And Saints supporters, what do you need after the break? A higher tempo, I reckon.

Express your innermost opinions by using #bbcrugby on Twitter.

How do you make rugby safer?

A two-week break after the Six Nations? Bringing back old-style rucking?

They're just some of the suggestions to make rugby safer.

If you're after a bit of half-time reading - I strongly advise you take a look at Tom Fordyce's piece.

Ian Hunter

Ex-England and Northampton full-back on BBC Radio Northampton

"Saints need to get their hands on the ball and if they do they can start dictating the pace of the game. They have got to keep their discipline both with the ball and going into contact. Harlequins have slowed the game up and frustrated Northampton, who need to be patient and go through phase after phase like they did at Bath."

Harlequins impressed me, by the way. They're bang out of form and have a young side, but have frustrated the champions for long periods of that first half.

Will that all change after the break?

Half-time

I'm sure I heard a few boos from the Franklin's Gardens crowd at the end of the half there. Seems a tad harsh.

Yes, it's tight, but it's unfair to expect Saints to just blow Quins out of the water.

They may well have been booing something completely different of course - like the futility of trying to understand the meaning of life, perhaps.

Half-time

The half ends in a bit of a mess, with a Quins scrum hitting the deck a few times.

It finally gets completed and the ball goes out of play.

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Andrew Blair: Story of Quins' season. Get points, concede points.

It's OK Quins fans, history does not repeat itself.

In fact, Harlequins do well here, slowing Saints down and forcing a knock-on.

Here's a suggestion for Quins: Stop landing penalties, it only makes Saints angry.

The hosts pour forward and Ken Pisi darts for the line, is held up, but wins a penalty.

Penalty (Evans)

Calum Clark concedes a penalty for tackling off his feet and Nick Evans opts to go for the posts.

It's straightforward and Evans does what he has done throughout his career - nails three points.

Lennie Newman

Ex-Northampton team manager on BBC Radio Northampton

"That was a good try and just what the doctor ordered. I thought it was going to be a penalty for Saints because George Robson sacked the man, but did so after the Saints were moving the ball forward. It was what the game and what Saints needed."

Just sloppy from Harlequins. They go through eight phases - that's eight phases - only to chuck it to a Saints player.

Try (Manoa, con Myler)

Well that didn't last long for Quins did it?

The penalty is put into touch, Calum Clark takes in the line-out, and the driving maul is unstoppable, enabling Samu Manoa to go over for his 10th try of the season.

Stephen Myler's kick goes off the post and over.

Saints finally wake up. Tom Stephenson surges, Ken Pisi gives it to Jamie Elliott, and the winger is held up.

But they have a penalty for going in at the side.

Get involved #bbcrugby

Rob Stileman: Really impressed with the Quins response tonight! We have been very poor over the last few weeks.

Penalty (Evans)

Boom. First points of the night, and it's first blood to Quins.

Saints concede a penalty at their own scrum, and Nick Evans has a simple-to-middling kick, which he lands.

Frustrating from Harlequins. They look slick from a quick tap, get into a good position, and infringe in the ruck.

Silly stuff.

No points but that first 20 minutes has zipped by.

Harlequins are again strong on the edge of their own 22 and earn a penalty. It's out for touch and here they go with the catch and drive.

If you didn't know that Harlequins had struggled this season, you'd think they're a top-six side.

They get another slick move going, switching across the field, but once again it's all for nothing as they are penalised for crossing.

It seems Harry Sloan won't be pulled up for that tackle on Tom Stephenson. So we'll say there was nothing wrong with it and move on.

Meanwhile, Quins turnover at the line-out and clear their lines. Defending well are the visitors - just need more discipline.

Northampton get the wheels turning on a driving maul and Quins have to concede their fourth penalty of the night.

Saints go to touch and will fancy that maul again.

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Plenty going on here. Harry Sloan catches Tom Stephenson with a high one. Saints take a quick penalty, so we'll take a look at that again in a minute.

And Marland Yarde almost gets away on a loose ball, but Northampton scramble their defence successfully. It's simmering nicely.

Northampton survive and Lee Dickson relinquishes the pressure with a kick to touch.

Graham McKechnie

BBC Radio Northampton sports editor

"Harlequins are looking very dangerous at Franklin's Gardens in these early stages."

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Quins fans are used to this sort of thing this season. They've had sustained pressure in the Saints 22, but just can't find the killer ball. They're still poking away though.

Marland Yarde is in a perky mood. The catch and drive comes to an end but the winger takes it on and is just stopped short by Alex Waller.

Quins get a free-kick at the scrum - but they opt to return to the scrum.

It almost works a treat as Nick Evans dinks a grubber through and Marland Yarde can't quite get his hands to it while trying to beat his man. They get a line-out though.

Samu Manoa is such a beast isn't he? He provides an offload while being tackled by three men.

Shame there was a knock-on in there somewhere.

Nick Evans' clearance is not great - it barely goes forwards. But Marland Yarde does superbly to gather it and Quins finally get rid of it.

A chance for Northampton, who win a free-kick at the scrum. They get moving quickly, but Lee Dickson knocks on.

No sweat at the line-out for Quins, but Ugo Monye makes a mess of getting under a high kick.

And Saints earn a scrum in the Quins 22.

Kick-off

We're underway from the boot of Nick Evans, and Saints send it back where it came from, with James Wilson putting a great kick into touch in Quins territory.

Listen to the game

Game time is nearly upon us, but remember, our live text commentary is complemented this evening by radio commentary from BBC Radio Northampton.

You can listen by using on the audio icon or by clicking the 'Live Coverage' tab, where you can also watch Pro12 action as Ulster play Scarlets and Ospreys host Leinster.

Team line-ups

Harlequins: Monye; Yarde, Hopper, Sloan, Walker; Evans, Dickson; Lambert, Ward, Sinckler, Matthews, Robson (capt), Clifford, Wallace, Talei.

Replacements: Buchanan, Marfo, Shields, Twomey, Trayfoot, Tebaldi, Botica, Lindsay-Hague.

Talei ho

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Netani Talei only joined Harlequins on Wednesday, and he's straight into the side at number eight.

The Fijian fills the experienced gap left by Nick Easter's England involvement.

Karl Dickson starts at scrum-half in place of Danny Care, who misses out with a calf strain.

And Harry Sloan replaces the concussed Tom Casson at inside centre while, scrum-half Tito Tebaldi will make his first senior appearance for Quins should he feature from the bench.

Team line-ups

Northampton Saints: Wilson; K Pisi, G Pisi, Stephenson, Elliott; Myler, Dickson (capt); Waller, Haywood, Denman, Lawes, Day, Manoa, Clark, Dickinson.

Replacements: Williams, Corbisiero, Mercey, Wood, Dowson, Fotuali'i, Olver, Olver, Tuala.

Lawes makes Saints return

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Northampton Saints have been served up two portions of good injury news.

England lock Courtney Lawes has recovered from the ankle injury he suffered in March, so he plays, and skipper Tom Wood is on the bench after his own ankle problem.

It's good news for England coach Stuart Lancaster, who hopes the pair can get some match action before featuring in the Six Nations.

Right then, less than 10 minutes until kick-off. So let's get some team news and take a look at the line-ups.

Wasps are buzzing

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Five teams in the hunt for the top four are separated by just one point. Wasps are at the bottom of that pile, but you'd be brave to bet against them.

Especially since they bolstered their scrum-half options this week with All Black World Cup winner Piri Weepu, who is on the bench.

Gloucester, unfortunately, have been the best of the rest, and well off the play-off and European pace.

They have winger Jonny May to call on though, having been dropped by England

First time for everything

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Exeter have never beaten Bath in the league. But here's an incentive - they could go above the Rec side with a win.

Bath need to get back on track after their uninspiring loss to runaway leaders Northampton.

Exeter fly-half Henry Slade keeps his place after impressing in the win over Harlequins last week.

Bath bring in a new front row of Nick Auterac, Ross Batty and Kane Palma-Newport for the trip to Sandy Park.

Get involved #bbcrugby

Matthew Williams: Expand the Premiership to 14 teams, 2 up 2 down and fund the Championship properly. No relegation = no successes like Exeter Chiefs.

James Gallagher: Whoever loses tonight shouldn't get too emotional and upset because boys don't cry.

Someone knows their Cure back catalogue, hey James? A reminder too that as well as this evening's action we would like your thoughts on the plan that emerged today to expand the Premiership and scrap promotion and relegation.

Quins not quids in

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A few Premiership clubs have been known to flash the cash a little bit - Bath and Saracens spring to mind.

But poor old Harlequins barely have two sticks to rub together.

It's been a less than inspiring season from the Londoners, but boss Conor O'Shea remains committed to their tried and tested formula.

"We don't buy success - we build it," he told Press Association Sport.

"I know we're judged on results - but I'll take the heat for that, not the players.

"I know we're developing another generation of players coming through. They are going to be outstanding for this club, and they are going to be outstanding for England."

Sharks or Tigers to bite?

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Interesting one this is.

Sale are starting to look the business, having beaten Saints and Saracens in the last few weeks, while Leicester have rekindled their form with four wins out of five.

They are both one point off the top four and will fancy their chances of breaking into the play-off party.

Tigers have England lock Geoff Parling back after a knee injury, while Sharks turn to Nick Macleod at fly-half with Danny Cipriani on international duty.

No mugs here

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Northampton can open up as much as a 14-point gap at the top of the Premiership tonight - at least until bath face Exeter tomorrow afternoon.

And the Premiership champions are 22 points above this evening's visitors, so it should be easy pickings, right?

"We know we are top at the minute and know that everyone behind us is fighting pretty hard to catch us up," Saints forwards coach Dorian West told BBC Radio Northampton.

"We are not playing against any mugs, they are all good sides and they are all desperate to win."

Bottom against nearly bottom

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Possibly not one for the purists this.

The Premiership's bottom two clubs face off at the Kassam tomorrow, with the hosts looking to improve on their one-point haul for the season.

Irish are showing progress, however, having made Saints and Leicester Tigers work hard for their wins over the past two weeks.

Tale of the tape

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A quick comparison of the numbers tells you where Quins have been struggling this season. Their points against is competitive, but only the bottom two teams have scored less points than the Londoners.

Saracens stinging

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Saracens will be a little bit miffed that they failed to take advantage of Bath's defeat by Saints last week.

Sarries would have gone second had they beaten an impressive Sale side.

Against Newcastle, who played their part in a tremendous draw against Wasps last week, they bring in Charlie Hodgson at fly-half, but rest wing Chris Ashton.

Fit the Falcons, Juan Pablo Orlandi and Kane Thompson cover for England prop Kieran Brookes and Italy lock Josh Furno.

Hope for Quins?

Harlequins are scratching around for a change in form, but Franklin's Gardens is a tricky place to do it.

Quins have lost their last two Premiership games and are 10 points off the play-off places. A defeat tonight would make their post-season prospects pretty dim.

Leaders Saints have had mishaps at home this term though, losing to Exeter in November and getting thumped by Racing Metro last month.

But their win last week at second-placed Bath showed they are undeniably the most dominant Premiership force at the moment.

Get involved #bbcrugby

So there's been a bit of talk about promotion and relegation between the Premiership and Championship being scrapped.

It's only talk at the moment, but there's also the possibility of the Premiership expanding to 14 teams.

A good idea? Will it work? Let us know using #bbcrugby on Twitter

Brothers in arms

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We're keeping it in the family tonight, as two brothers face off against each other at scrum-half.

Quins number nine Karl Dickson, 32, will be staring into the whites of the eyes of his little sibling Lee.

Karl has 83 Premiership appearances to his name, but is overshadowed by Saints' Lee, who has 171 league games and 18 England caps - but I'm sure it never gets mentioned at the dinner table.

Get involved #bbcrugby

Come on then, let's hear what you have to say for yourselves.

Can Harlequins cause an upset? Are Northampton Saints on course for back-to-back title wins?

Whatever your thoughts, get them off your chest using #bbcrugby on Twitter.

The Cure for your Friday night

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Evening ladies and gents. In case you hadn't noticed, it's Friday, and I'm in love... with Premiership rugby!

Northampton Saints v Harlequins was probably not what Robert Smith of the Cure was getting at with his ode to the final day of the week, but who cares?

Tonight we'll preview all of the round-16 action, and bring you a blow-by-blow account of the action at Franklin's Gardens. It's good to have you with us.