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Face stamp sees Mike Brown sent off but Marcus Smith inspires Harlequins to thrilling win
Mike Brown may have played his last game for Harlequins after he was sent off for stamping in a remarkable 48-46 Gallagher Premiership victory over Wasps that was only decided in the last play of the game.
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England’s most-capped full-back was shown a red card four minutes into the second-half after stepping backwards and standing on the head of Tommy Taylor, who was holding him at a ruck.
Referee Wayne Barnes reviewed the incident on the big screen at Twickenham Stoop and gave Brown his marching orders. Earlier in the game he was sent to the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on.
Any stamp involving the head carries a minimum six-week ban, pointing to the likely end of his Harlequins career given he joins Newcastle next season.
Just four rounds of the Premiership remain and his only hope is for his team to reach the play-offs or for the disciplinary hearing to show leniency by reducing his suspension.
Red for Mike Brown and that could be the end of his Quins career. pic.twitter.com/i9UnPY1V9o
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) May 9, 2021
It is a savage blow for a player who made his Quins debut 16 years ago and until his moment of madness had contributed fully to a rollercoaster game that saw England fringe players Marcus Smith, Joe Marchant, Dan Robson and Paolo Odogwu shine in front of Eddie Jones.
The home side rallied manfully after the loss of Brown and against all odds engineered the critical try when man of the match Smith sprinted over just as the clock passed 80 minutes, before adding the conversion himself.
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Even the loss of tighthead prop Kieran Brookes in the fourth minute to what appeared to be a significant injury failed to dent Wasps’ early exuberance as they imposed themselves with a series of determined carries.
But against the run of play Quins showed their ruthless streak to cross in the 12th minute, Smith chipping the ball to the right touchline where Marchant gathered before winning a sprint for the line.
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Wasps were straight back on the offensive and exploited a defensive lapse by Danny Care beautifully when Robson drew his opposite number to send Josh Bassett over.
Robson was at the heart of a dangerous Wasps break and when Quins try to escape the stranglehold they were turned over in their own 22, allowing Tom Willis to send Odogwu through a gap and across the whitewash.
Brown was sin-binned to compound the home misery, yet it failed to dent their confidence and they were the next over as the rollercoaster first half continued.
Repeated carries stretched the visiting defence and once more it was Smith who pulled the trigger, firing a rapid pass to James Lang who completed a simple run-in.
A powerful Odogwu break that continued with Robson racing crossfield laid the platform for Wasps to score their third try with the scrum-half showing strength to force his way over.
The sixth try of the first half arrived shortly before it ended, Brown, Smith and Marchant combining brilliantly for Smith to touch down and when the England prospect then kicked a penalty, Quins led 24-22.
Brown was sent off, forcing the double blow of Luke Northmore’s try also being chalked off, and almost immediately Wasps plundered the bonus point when Malakai Fekitoa barrelled over.
When Thomas Young then scored in a similar position, the balance shifted heavily towards last season’s runners-up – only for Care to keep Quins’ hopes alive.
Remarkably given they were a player down, the 2012 champions regained the lead through an Alex Dombrandt try that was converted from the touchline by Smith.
Robson’s pinpoint grubber from a scrum enabled Bassett to score his second and with Jacob Umaga adding the conversion and a penalty, it appeared to be over.
But the final six minutes were the Smith show as the England prospect kicked a penalty, scored a try and then converted to break Wasps’ hearts.
Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments