'What a man': How physio's joke foreshadowed Harlequins backrow's heroics

Head coach Jason Gilmore revealed Tom Lawday was almost denied the fairytale finish to his Harlequins career by injury as his winning try in the dying seconds edged out Northampton.

While Quins missed out on Investec Champions Cup qualification despite the 38-31 win, they at least ended a troubled Gallagher Prem campaign on a high thanks to their departing back-rower’s final touch for the club.

Gilmore said: “We lost Chandler (Cunningham-South) late in the week with a calf strain and Tommy’s been battling a hamstring (injury) for a while now.

“So we kind of left the door open that, if there was going to be a change late in the week, if he could get through the week training – even on Tuesday it was still doubtful if a spot opened up that Tommy would be right.

“But we called him in yesterday and our physio actually joked, if we need a last try, Tommy’s the man because he’s done two of them this year, against Sarries and La Rochelle.

Points Flow Chart

Harlequins win +7

Time in lead

4

Mins in lead

39

5%

% Of Game In Lead

48%

39%

Possession Last 10 min

61%

14

Points Last 10 min

0

“What a man, and what a way for him to finish.

“I was just a little bit worried when they were checking, from about 50 phases before, for a forward pass, but it was just great to see.

“He’s such a good man who’s given his all for the club.”

Northampton led twice in the first half through Jonny Weimann and JJ van der Mescht, but tries from Alex Dombrandt and Jamie Benson for Harlequins meant the sides were level at 12-12 at the break.

Saints scores from Josh Kemeny, Toby Thame and Weimann were then cancelled out by Cassius Cleaves, Cameron Anderson and Dombrandt before Lawday won it for Quins.

A much-changed Northampton impressed in defeat and the league leaders now have a home semi-final against Leicester to look forward to next Friday.

Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson said: “To lose like that, it’s hard to talk about because we’ve done it (to other teams) so many times this season.

“To lose in the last minute is frustrating, but in the same breath I thought lots of our game was very good, lots of our players stepped up and performed well.

“Overall there were elements of our performance that weren’t good enough, it was pretty obvious what they were, and we’ll go after those this week.

“I thought we were up for it. I thought our application and ambition were both very good.”