Underwhelming and Imprecise: Normal Service Resumed
Gloucester Would Love To Play Us Every Week...
I normally wait until the dust has settled before putting these articles together, but i didn’t think there was much point in waiting. There will be no intensive analytical interrogation this week, just a sober write up of where we are. Normally I’d pour over the game replay for a few hours, read any of the media coverage around the game, collate the screenshots to back up any of the narratives to be covered - but this really doesn’t feel like the sort of game that warrants that sort of investment. I apologise if that is arrogant of me.
I started this substack for fun, but its hard to find too much fun in this one! I was in Rome for England’s underperformance a few weeks ago, and today I was at the Stoop. That is a fairly grisly one-two punch. However spare a thought for my friend Chris who came to both of these games, plus Crystal Palace’s last two 0-0 home draws vs Leeds United, and giants of Cyprus, Lanarca. In life, there is always someone going through tougher battles than yourself.
This fixture against Gloucester felt like one that said quite a lot about where Harlequins currently sit. A team seriously lacking attacking cohesion, knowing that little is to play for in the league and an overhaul is in the works above their heads.
There were patches of control, flashes of promise, and some genuinely encouraging individual performances. Yet once again, key moments slipped away, and at this level that is usually enough to shape the result.
So with another afternoon in the books, what stood out?
1) Errors in key moments
This was probably the defining theme of the game.
Quins were not outclassed across the full eighty minutes. There were periods where territory was controlled and phases were built with patience. But when genuine momentum opportunities presented themselves, the reaction speed and precision simply was not at the level required.
Quins’ handling errors yet again crept in, turning the ball over 14 times. We’ve spoken before about Quins’ touches-to-error ratio and how it sits in the poorest 10% across all major leagues but the unforced handling errors today were brutal. What makes this particularly frustrating was Quins’ ability to generate quick ball - 66% of Quins’ ball was under 3 seconds, which is really decent, and we saw what happens for Marcus’ try when you combine quick ball with big carries from 12 and 13. More often than not though we felt painfully lateral until the later stages. It was pulled back pod play with limited misdirection and little of the brutish directness that was successful in all of the 3 tries we scored. Above all else it was our consistent specialisation in compounding our own mistakes which is desperately annoying.
I don’t like calling out players but for the pure encapsulation of where we are at times I have to mention Gloucester’s second try. We begin with a lack of accuracy on a short pull back to Isgro who knocks on, and Gloucester regather and take it to the house. These things happen. But Rodrigo Isgro’s error felt like a painful echo of his howler in the reverse fixture. I love Rodders, I think he is a fantastic player and a freakish, but his lackadaisical back heel at the ball and casual ball watching was difficult to stomach. When you’re searching for identity and need fan buy-in during times of transition - the body language and concentration loss is close to unforgivable.
2) Platform problems
The attacking platform never felt secure enough to build sustained pressure. A seventy five percent lineout success rate on Quins throw is simply not sufficient, particularly when two of the losses came in deep attacking territory. Those are effectively turnover penalties in disguise.
One of the most frustrating moments was Quins being pinged for a fake throw in Gloucester’s 22 when the opposition didn’t even compete. When your own set piece falters in that manner, it becomes very difficult to apply scoreboard pressure. The knock on effect was visible. Phases became more lateral, kicking options more forced, and attacking rhythm was repeatedly interrupted. There aren’t an awful lot of excuses for this - Jake Walker is internationally capped, as are Guido Petti and Kieran Treadwell. Of course there is more to lineouts than the thrower and the jumpers but to meltdown given the personnel is a concern.
Scrum stability was also inconsistent as the game wore on. When your platform is unreliable, everything else in the attacking framework becomes harder. That felt like a recurring pattern throughout the afternoon.
3) Defensive improvement with emotional setbacks
It would be unfair not to acknowledge genuine defensive progress.
Line speed looked more connected and there was far greater trust between inside and outside defenders. One on one tackling, which has been a major concern at times this season, was notably more assured. Gloucester were forced to play more phases than they would have liked in certain sequences.
However, two officiating decisions felt like emotional turning points. A questionable obstruction non-call in the build up to one Gloucester score disrupted what had been a strong defensive set. Later, a debatable double movement non call appeared to take the wind out of the defensive sails. When players feel their effort is not being rewarded, defensive shape can quickly lose its edge. This could, should have been a result where we conceded 14 points, but those calls deflated us. Nonetheless I see a genuinely decent systemic improvement. I was particularly impressed with the connectedness between 12 and 13, and 13 and 14; Quins operated their drift really nicely at times across the pitch, even when under pressure. Having a typical 12 in Waghorn slot in at 13 meant that he was able to contribute really effectively in that wider drift slot.
4) Young centres continue to excite
One of the clearest positives was the performance of the young midfielders.
Ben Waghorn showed again why he is so highly regarded internally. His ability to operate at both 12 and 13 gives real tactical flexibility. His try was all about power and intent. He stayed square, won the collision, and drove through contact with real authority to get on the scoresheet. Note his hamstring wraps, meaning he’s generating good gainline dominance with more to come.
Bryn Bradley also continues to intrigue, and a player that Wales are keeping tabs on. There is a rare quality to his frame and movement. Long limbed, rangy, and difficult to ignore as a decoy or primary runner. His frame brings to mind Joseph Sua’alii. The physical dimensions are remarkably similar, of course even if Sua’alii currently offers an astronomic level of explosiveness.
For a side that has searched for midfield clarity at times this season, the sense of genuine depth emerging is really encouraging. This is especially true considering the very promising England U20s World Cup winner Sean Kerr in our ranks, and we’re missing the international due of Luke Northmore and Oscar Beard. Jamie Benson came on for 10 minutes and slotted in well at 12, and there’s an argument made that we should have started him at 10 and rested Marcus given the emotional energy expended in Paris, and Benson’s fine recent Prem Cup performances.
5) Front row depth exposed
If the centres offer comfort for the future, the front row situation feels more fragile.
Injuries, rotation and game state combined to expose how fine the margins are in the prop stocks. Early set piece exchanges were competitive, but stability faded as the match progressed. This was none more obvious than conceding a scrum penalty whilst having a man advantage after the Gloucester yellow card.
I went into depth regarding our front row concerns in this post, but we felt it today. I love the young props coming through the academy - especially Will Hobson and Ollie Streeter, but it feels like there needs to be some stronger options before these guys get handed the keys to the kingdom. I’m a big fan of Pedro Delgado, but with the players likely leaving the club, some reinforcements at tighthead will be a priority.
I have the luxury of being at the opera next week and so am missing the big trip to Cardiff to take on Bristol. Right now this feels like an incredibly wise decision, but hope springs eternal. We then return to Euro knockout action. It’s a funny old game.
With Robbie Deans being rumoured in a consultative capacity next year, we might not be too far away to seeing what this coaching reset (or cull) might end up looking like.
COYQ.