Summary

  • FT: Northampton 17-13 Harlequins

  • Samu Manoa, James Wilson and Tom Wood score tries for Saints

  • Nick Evans kicks two penalties for Quins

  • Marland Yarde with injury-time try for Harlequins

  • Wins sees Saints go 13 points clear at top of Premiership

  1. How do you make rugby safer?published at 20:37 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2015

    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.

  2. Postpublished at 20:36 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2015

    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."

  3. Postpublished at 20:35 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2015

    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?

  4. Half-timepublished at 20:33 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2015

    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.

  5. Half-timepublished at 20:30 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2015

    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.

  6. Get involved #bbcrugbypublished at 20:28 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2015

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

  7. Postpublished at 20:26 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2015

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

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

  8. Postpublished at 20:24 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2015

    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.

  9. Penalty (Evans)published at 20:22 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2015

    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.

  10. Postpublished at 20:21 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2015

    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."

  11. Postpublished at 20:20 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2015

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

  12. Try (Manoa, con Myler)published at 20:17 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2015

    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.

  13. Postpublished at 20:17 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2015

    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.

  14. Get involved #bbcrugbypublished at 20:16 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2015

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

  15. Penalty (Evans)published at 20:13 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2015

    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.

  16. Postpublished at 20:12 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2015

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

    Silly stuff.

  17. Postpublished at 20:10 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2015

    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.

  18. Postpublished at 20:08 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2015

    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.

  19. Postpublished at 20:05 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2015

    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.

  20. Postpublished at 20:03 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2015

    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.