Leicester Tigers player ratings vs Harlequins | Gallagher PREM 2025/26

Leicester Tigers player ratings: Leicester Tigers picked up maximum points at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday, beating a limp Harlequins team 34-7 in the Gallagher PREM.

Quins’ performance was as flat as the atmosphere at the Stoop, with the hosts looking a shell of the side that toppled La Rochelle last week in France.

Leicester didn’t complain, though, as they raced to a 17-0 lead at the break, and only built on it in the second 40. Here’s how the players rated:

15 Freddie Steward – 8.5
Put under pressure aerially by Quins, who chased kicks well, but was largely unruffled. In attack, the England full-back joined the line with power and potency to give the Tigers good metreage and was looking to get his arms free and offload in contact. Sliced through the Quins defence with a hard line off the No9 to race in for the Tigers’ third try, and seal the game.

14 Gabriel Hamer-Webb – 8
Crowned his call-up to Wales’ Six Nations squad with the opening try of the match, strolling over in plenty of space. Really strong kick chase saw him win Leicester possession back, and was oppressive in defence all match.

13 Will Wand – 7.5
Caught covering far too many players in a chance Quins should have scored from in the first half, being dragooned in-field by Marcus Smith only for Cadan Murley to run round a huge gap. Elsewhere, defended astutely against a Quins attack with some tricky runners, putting in 14 tackles in an hour. Didn’t get a huge return going forward, but always challenged outside shoulders and was keen (maybe too keen at times) to get the ball free in contact.

12 Orlando Bailey – 7
Shared the playmaking burdens with Searle and really tested Quins as a duo. His left boot proved particularly troublesome for Quins, and his tricky kicks could well have resulted in more points on another day.

11 Ollie Hassell-Collins – 7
Looked lively every time the ball went out to his left wing, although he perhaps didn’t get the ball in his hands as much as he would have liked.

10 Billy Searle – 7.5
Had an early try chalked off for obstruction, but there was nothing wrong (Quins fans may question how backwards it went) with his whipped pass out wide to put Hamer-Webb in for the opener. In top form and was barely pressurised by a lacklustre Quins outfit. Kicked perfectly from the tee, too.

9 Jack van Poortvliet – 8
Picked a perfect pass for Hassell-Collins to score the opening try of the match, only to be pinged for going forward. Decided to do it all himself, therefore, for Leicester’s second try, chasing his own kick, then putting in a nice step to score from 50 metres out. Played with a good tempo and decision-making was nice throughout the match. Hobbled off the field with 10 minutes remaining, which will concern Steve Borthwick.

1 Nicky Smith – 8
Part of a strong scrummaging effort and led the way with penalties won, up against an established international in Argentina’s Pedro Delgado, as well – three penalties (and another penalty advantage) alone in the first half helped the Tigers out of some tricky situations. Quins changed their tighthead at half time, but the damage was already done. Double figures for carries (11) made it a good day out in London for the Welshman, where he will likely be in two weeks to take on England.

2 Charlie Clare – 7.5
Put Van Poortvliet in to score his try after a well-worked lineout move. Perfect in the lineout and carried a lot in his 50 minutes on the field.

3 Joe Heyes- 7
Scrummaged aggressively – likened in commentary to Sumo wrestling – and got his rewards. Busy enough in the loose, although maybe not the usual numbers he posts, but nevertheless solid.

4 Cameron Henderson – 8.5
Huge shift in defence, putting in 19 tackles. Given the bulk of possession the Tigers had, that makes that figure even more impressive. Ate up the ground with some of his carries, and was able to generate momentum for his side, albeit he was sent halfway back up the M1 in one carry into Chandler Cunningham-South at one point.

5 Ollie Chessum – 7
Steady, but maybe not the tight attritional battle that would suit the British & Irish Lion, as, at times, the match seemed more like an 80-minute attacking training drill for the visitors.

6 Hanro Liebenberg – 7
Playing for the first time since November, but was thinking quickly with his quick lineout move with Clare for Leicester’s second try. Played the full 80, and was tireless in defence, as always.

7 Tommy Reffell – 7.5
Textbook jackaling to win a penalty as Quins were hammering Leicester’s line shortly before half time – what he does best. One of two turnovers in a strong defensive shift, clocking 14 tackles too. The performance of a player with a point to prove after missing out on Wales’ Six Nations squad.

8 Emeka Ilione – 7
Put his hand up to do plenty of unpretty carries short off of JvP, but kept coming back despite not getting a huge return on his carries. He did, however, spill the ball as the Tigers were going for the kill before the break. Left the field clutching his left shoulder, which will be a concern.

Replacements
16 Jamie Blamire – 8.5
17 Archie van der Flier – 6
18 Will Hurd – 7
19 Joaquin Moro – 7.5
20 Olly Cracknell – N/A
21 Ollie Allan – 6.5
22 James O’Connor – 7
23 Izaia Perese – 8