Struggling Quins secure morale‑boosting Challenge Cup victory

Harlequins revived their season with a 57‑19 win over French side Vannes in the European Challenge Cup, earning a valuable bonus point. The English club, sitting at the bottom of the Premiership after three straight defeats, dominated the match, crossing the line nine times.

England back Marcus Smith contributed 22 points, scoring two tries and converting six kicks. Captain Cadan Murley also added two tries, while Will Hobson, Sam Riley, Will Evans (two) and replacement hooker Jimmy Staples each found the try line. Vannes, who sit last in the Top 14 with four losses, managed three scores through Wayan De Benedittis and winger Enzo Benmegal, who secured a brace that included an acrobatic finish.

This was Harlequins’ first appearance at this stage of the competition since 2018. The club has previously lifted the Challenge Cup three times, a record‑equalling achievement, though their last triumph came in 2011. Rather than facing a European heavyweight, they met a side that had claimed the French Pro D2 title the previous season.

The opening exchanges saw Murley and Smith score for the home side before De Benedittis gave Vannes a foothold. Hobson added a try for the Quins, but a deliberate knock‑on by Smith earned him a yellow card, leaving the team a man short. Benmegal capitalised, crossing twice, one with a spectacular aerial finish. Murley then completed his double, and with the numbers evened, Harlequins took control.

Four of the next five tries came from the forward pack, with Riley, Evans (two) and Staples each touching down. Smith completed his own brace after a slick pass from Luke Northmore, mirroring the two tries he scored against Sale Sharks the previous weekend.

Harlequins will look to carry the confidence from this win into their Premiership derby against Saracens at home next Sunday, hoping to spark a turnaround in their league campaign.

Harlequins: Furbank; Isgro, Northmore, Bradley, Murley; Smith, Friday; Hobson, Riley, Streeter, Dun, Treadwell, Petti Pagadizabal, Driscoll, Schmid. Replacements: Staples, Johnson‑Holmes, Delgado, E Williams, Browne, Evans, Porter, T Green. Sin‑bin: Smith (37).

Vannes: Jonas; Bard, Boulier, Tabuavou, Benmegal; Cotormanac’h, Kuruvoli; De Benedittis, Beziat, Medrano, Ployet, Desjeux, Pedemonte, Blanc‑Mappaz, Brown. Replacements: El Bibouji, Djehi, Bourgeois, Stegehuis, Paul, Alania, Gicquel, Taccola. Sin‑bin: Stegenhuis (77). Referee: Peter Martin (Ireland).