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A summary of round 12’s Gallagher Prem action and answering all the key questions.
Who- was the best player this weekend? Well, if I’d have told you at the start of the week it would have been a Harlequins player, I think you would have laughed at me. This weekend, though, Alex Dombrandt was monstrous in Cardiff. A try, 3 turnovers, with multiple leading to crucial points for his side. Then, with 16 tackles, he led the defensive and physical effort for Harlequins, something that has been massively missing this season. The number 8 really stood up for his side in a proper number eight performance, and it would have made Steve Borthwick reconsider the Quins man in the future. Henry Pollock also returned for Northampton Saints at number eight and put in a huge shift to remind everyone that, despite being the sports poster boy, he is extremely good at rugby.
What- The winning score for Northampton was the best moment of the weekend after going into an early lead and then not scoring for 65 minutes, to then snatch victory from Saracens at their big event at Tottenham. What a try it was as well. The delayed pass from Dingwall, Lingfield’s break and offload and then McParland, once running the perfect scrum half support line.
Where- The Tottenham Hotspur stadium saw the best sports match it has probably seen all year, even though the theme of the visitors leaving victorious stayed the same. Whilst it was not a hugely high-scoring game, it still had a great star with three tries in 20 minutes, high drama through a low-scoring second half and quality on show for all scores. The atmosphere was brilliant and fitting to the stadium, which is one of the best sporting arenas in Britain.
When- the moment Jamie Bensons penalty kick flew over a minute to go for Quins to secure their first league win since October, and in Cardiff of all places. A moment of joy for Quins fans, and what you can also imagine as relief that their side finally turned up. Harlequins winning in games when they have been completely written off shouldn’t be a shock by now for rugby fans but them winning away at Bristol after a dismal performance at Gloucester wasn’t to be seen coming. Especially in the way it did a gritty win through defensive physicality and smart decision making, not the free-flowing attacking game they are famous for.
Why- did Geoff Parling have such an issue with TNT Sports taking a kick during his sides warm up? As he pushed Craig Doyle off the pitch, along with some colourful language pre-game at Villa Park. In a big game at Villa Park, where you are trying to encourage fans to get into the sport may seem negative. For Parling, though he doesn’t care about that he just wants his side to focus on performing so their warm-up being affected in any way will obviously not sit well with him. His interruption proved to be the right call, as his side definitely started in the right fashion, securing a bonus point in 15 minutes.