Baxter will take England role in stride - Wilson

Fin Baxter playing for HarlequinsImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Fin Baxter has made 59 appearances for Harlequins and has two England caps

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Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson says Fin Baxter has been "outstanding" this season after he was called up for England's autumn internationals.

The 22-year-old, who has two England caps, has started all four of Quins' Premiership games this term.

He scored his first try of the season on Sunday as Harlequins ended a run of eight straight defeats against London rivals Saracens in a 17-10 win at The Stoop.

England head coach Steve Borthwick named six Harlequins players in his 36-strong squad for November's four matches.

Joe Marler, Alex Dombrandt, Chandler Cunningham-South, Luke Northmore and Marcus Smith have all been selected along with Baxter.

"He [Baxter] didn't have a long pre-season, his performance has been outstanding," Wilson told BBC Radio London ahead of Harlequins' Premiership match against Bristol Bears.

"The amount of work he's getting through as loosehead, on top of his set piece work, dominating collisions, scoring goals - this kid's so exciting."

Baxter came through the Harlequins academy and made his debut for the club in 2020.

He has made 59 appearances since and was part of the squad that won the Premiership title in 2020-21.

'We want to show Sarries win wasn't a one-off'

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Harlequins ended an eight-match Premiership losing streak against London rivals Saracens on Sunday

Baxter won his two previous caps in July, coming on as a half-time substitute in England's 16-15 defeat against New Zealand before making his first start in a 24-17 loss against the same opposition the following week.

England face New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan in the autumn internationals next month.

"For him to go from [Quins matches against] Sarries, to Bath and be involved with the England setup is a lot for a young man," Wilson said.

"But he's a young man who I think will take it in his stride."

Quins take on last season's runners up Bath at The Stoop with two wins and two defeats from their first four games.

Bath have won three matches and have lost once and Wilson said his players will need to be wary of the carrying power of players including Alfie Barbeary and Ollie Lawrence, on top of the running and kicking talents the team possess.

"We want to show [last weekend's victory over Saracens] isn't a one-off," he said.

"The biggest factor is The Stoop, the fans make the difference.

"We're very lucky with what we have there, it's a packed house and we know they're great occasions, the boys love playing at The Stoop."

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