The Breakdown: Saracens ruthless efficiency

            Saracens 26-10 victory over a passionate Munster side has put them back into the Champions Cup final for the third time in four years. The performance in Dublin was a ferocious display of efficiency, the likes of which we have come to expect from the Wolfpack. As we breakdown the Saracens machine, we’ll see the vital cogs that make up the reigning European & English champions.

What makes Saracens tick?

            Saracens are a side that have a gameplan, stick to that gameplan and execute it extremely well. While it may not seem overly complex it is the clinical nature with which they complete it that makes them so difficult to overcome. We’ll be breaking down that plan into four key areas.

Play in the right areas

To boil Saracens down to just a good kicking side would be a gross underestimate of their ability, they are smarter than that. However, kicking does play a major part in their style of play. Saracens only play rugby where they need to play rugby. Masterminded by worldclass half-backs in Wigglesworth & Farrell (and occasionally Vunipola), Saracens clear danger again and again.

              

            Taking the game against Munster as an example, Saracens only ran the ball from inside their half 8 times in the entire game, with 3 of those coming in the final minutes as they attempted to run down the clock. 77% of phases from Saracens inside their half resulted in kicks, 90% inside their own 22m excluding running out the clock. And it is the accuracy of these kicks, when facing the likes of Zebo & Earls, that is so impressive. All Saracens kicks were either contestable or found space, limiting the opportunity for counter-attacks.

         

            Yet when Saracens are attacking they change tact. That 77% kicking swings to just 9% inside their opponents half. In fact, they only kicked the ball once inside the Munster 22m, and that resulted in Wyles’ try that sealed the game. The core belief that they must only play in the right area is drilled into the squad and it proves mightily effective when executed as well as Saracens do. As ex-Saracens coaching guru, Brendan Venter, once said ‘100% of tries are scored in your opponents 22m.’ But playing in the right area is only any good if you…

Make your tackles

                As much as Saracens are a kicking side, they are also a tackling side. Here, perhaps most noticeably, is where their ruthless efficiency shines through. The old adage goes ‘A kick is only as good as its chase’, but a chase is only as good as the tackle that follows. The Wolfpack will make tackle after tackle and demonstrate immense fitness game after game to keep the opposition out. In the Aviva Premiership this season Saracens have only conceded 23 tries, vastly fewer than any other side, with Leicester & Bath the closest on 43.

                Saracens made a staggering 167 tackles against Munster, almost double the number of the Irishmen. And in a typically Saracens squad effort, 9 of the starting 15 made it into double figures for tackles completed, compared with just Billy Holland for Munster. What makes those numbers more impressive again is the return of the ‘e’ word, efficiency. Despite making near double the tackles of Munster, they missed one less, 13 to 14. A 92% tackle completion that kept Munster from crossing the whitewash until the game was won in the 79^th minute. Saracens opponents know lining up against them; they are going to get knocked down over and over with very little reward. And it isn’t just the quantity of tackles, but the quality too. Saracens are ferocious in making sure you…

Win your battles

                Saracens are not content with simply knocking you down, but also powerful in winning the contact too. Time after time the men in black drive opponents back towards their own goal line with great force. As shown at the weekend, Saracens scarcely allow sides to break the gainline, especially if you attack them head on.

                While it may be harder to show statistically, the intensity with which Saracens approach the tackle, the breakdown & the set piece creates problems for any opposition. The domination of these areas starve teams of any attacking platform. Losing the collision and failing to make the gainline makes it far too easy for the Saracens defensive line. It could be argued that Munster played into Saracens hands at the weekend in this sense. Failing to stretch the defence and persisting to send one out runners into the ball wall. And with players will Vunipola, Rhodes & Itoje, it’s a power level that others teams simply cannot match. However, the gameplan & power play is nothing if you don’t…

Take your points

                You can have all the ball you like, in all the right positions in the pitch, as Munster did in Dublin, and fail to win if you don’t take the points on offer. Munster had 9 visits into the Saracens 22m but only took 8 points from all that effort. Frighteningly, this was a Saracens performance that didn’t take all of the points on offer, and yet were still run out winners. While statistically they appear as clinical as usual with 14 points from just 5 visits to the Munster 22m, they left two relatively easy tries out on the field. If it weren’t for those uncharacteristic mistakes, we could have been looking at a much heavier scoreline in favour of the champions. As Munster boss Rassie Erasmus said, “We played against a team that were better than us. That’s a reality.”

                Saracens are professionals at keeping the scoreboard ticking over, and keeping the game out of reach from their opponents. With Farrell’s kicking over 80% in the Aviva Premiership this season  it’s easy to see where so many of their points come from. Saracens don’t score a shedload of points every weekend, they simply don’t need to. While Wasps & Exeter may be further ahead in terms of tries scored, Saracens will beat their opponents into submission with three points after three points, and when they get opportunities inside your 22m, chances are they leave with points on the board. While it may take teams several visits into the Saracens half to score anything, most of the time, Saracens only need one.

‘A well-oiled machine’

                Despite how simple the plan may seem it’s how Saracens carry it out that makes it so effective. Any side could adopt these techniques but few would reach the level that Saracens do. Whether it be down to the world-class players, the strength in depth, the ambition & unity amongst the squad, the workrate and fitness or a combination of them all, Saracens are consistently able to get to job done. Schalk Brits summarised it perfectly after the game at the weekend;

                “We have belief in each other, with these big games you can’t look too far ahead. You have to focus on the next play. If you start looking at the clock or the scoreboard you start losing focus on what is happening now. Two or three years ago we changed all the mindset to focus on the next play being the most important. We’re a hard team to play whoever we are play. What makes us difficult to beat is that we don’t just have 15, we have a squad of 30 who we can swap. We have world-class players who we will miss when they don’t play but in essence we are a well-oiled machine.”

I’d liken Saracens to a boxer. A boxer with incredible endurance, who can get hit and hit and hit and not fall down. And a boxer who only deals in haymakers, he doesn’t waste punches, when he strikes it hurts. And it is that combination of ferocious defence and clinical attack that sees Saracens continue to succeed in the highest echelons of club rugby, and, for the moment, there isn’t an end in sight to their reign.

Green King IPA Championship Preview - 15th-16th April

Mouth-watering fixtures litter the final weekend of league fixtures in the Green King IPA Championship this weekend. The top four are all in action in a possible preview of the play-off semi-finals as Doncaster Knights host London Irish and high-flying Ealing Trailfinders travel to Yorkshire Carnegie.

Doncaster Knights v London Irish

                Doncaster sealed their play-off place last week with a crucial victory over an impressive Jersey side. This week their sights are set on upsetting an Irish side who were run away victors last week in a crushing 82-3 win over bottom side Rotherham. If Doncaster want to avoid Irish in the semi-final they will need to beat Irish and hope Yorkshire beat Ealing at Headingley. Doncaster will be hoping for a better showing than when they visited the Madjeski on the opening day of the season as they failed to score as Irish won 19-0.
Prediction: Doncaster Knights 14-18 London Irish

Yorkshire Carnegie v Ealing Trailfinders

                Ealing’s dominant run of form sets up, what is sure to be an exciting and high scoring affair, against Yorkshire. Ealing have scored over 50 points in their previous three league games in an unbeaten run that stretches back to their one point loss against top side London Irish back in January. They come up against a resurgent Yorkshire side who have hit form at the right time. Having had a wobble in recent months, two convincing wins over Richmond & Bedford has restored belief in Yorkshire that their side can push for promotion. Victory for Ealing would be enough for them to seal 3^rd place in the league and set up a semi-final against Yorkshire in two week’s time.
Prediction: Yorkshire Carnegie 28-32 Ealing Trailfinders

Jersey Reds v Richmond

                Following last week’s disappointing end to their play-off hunt, Jersey will be seeking to sign-off their impressive season with victory over Richmond. With Cornish Pirates close behind, Jersey will want to hold on to 5^th place, however have the distraction of the British & Irish Cup final the following week in Ireland against Munster A. Richmond, however, have proved to be worthy opponents this season and will provide a difficult test for Jersey. Despite relegation being removed half way through the season with the expelling of London Welsh, Richmond, the only semi-professional team in the league, ensured they wouldn’t finish bottom of the pile with victory of Pirates last week. Richmond will seek to end their very successful first campaign in the Championship in style against Jersey.
Prediction: Jersey Reds 25-12 Richmond

London Scottish v Nottingham

                With perhaps more eyes on precedings off the field than on it at the Athletic Ground over the last week, the final fixture of the season gives players and supporters a chance to focus on on-field action as Scottish host Nottingham. With new chairman of Scottish, Malcolm Offord, talking about the possibility of returning to semi-professionalism, Scottish players will want to show a strong performance given the coming uncertainty over the off-season. Having not played since the end of March, Nottingham will have to try to regain focus for their final fixture of the term.
Prediction: London Scottish 31-8 Nottingham

Cornish Pirates v Bedford Blues

                  Bedford Blues make the over 600 mile round trip as they travel to Penzance to face Cornish Pirates. With neither side having threatened the top four this season, Bedford will be the more disappointed of the two not to have built on their successful run to the play-offs last year. With both sides on the end of disappointing score lines last weekend, they will both be hoping they can end their season with victory.
Prediction: Cornish Pirates 19-10 Bedford Blues

Irish seal semi-final place in British & Irish Cup with victory over Yorkshire

London Irish beat Yorkshire Carnegie for a second time in a week with plenty of younger squad members on show for both sides. The 34-14 win sees Irish progress into the semi-final of the B&I Cup where they will play Jersey Reds at the Madjeski on Sunday 2^nd April.

London Irish progress to the semi-final where they will
host Jersey Reds in three weeks time.

London Irish were the victors last week at Headingley for the top of the table clash as they eked out a 20-14 win to see them remain unbeaten in the Championship. However, this weekend attention turned to the British & Irish Cup quarter-finals as both sides rung the changes from the previous week, with almost entirely different starting 15s. Both sides continued to use the competition as an opportunity to give much needed game time and experience to young members of their squads and academy.

                The opening half at the Madjeski was a nervy affair with the majority of play being outside the red zone of either side. London Irish established early dominance in the set-piece, causing real problems for the Yorkshire lineout, and ascendancy in the scrummage. With the first points of the game coming from a scrum penalty to Irish with Atkins slotting the kick to give Irish the early lead. Irish set-piece prowess also resulted in the first try of the game, as a strong driving maul from the lineout was defended well initially by Yorkshire, before captain Luke Narraway burrowed over to finish the move.

                With Irish leading 10-0, and beginning to take control, it was their failure to control the breakdown area that allowed Yorkshire opportunities to counter attack. However, it was a returned kick from Irish that gave Yorkshire a score from nowhere. With the Irish defence missing tackles it gave a simple two-on-one which was finished well by flanker Josh Bainbridge. The half finished with neither side able to capitalise on their chances, but Irish added a further penalty giving them a 13-7 lead at the half.

                Yorkshire started the second period well, and kept Irish pinned back deep inside their own half for large parts of the opening 10 minutes, but they were unable to turn this pressure into points with Irish disciplined in their exit strategy. The half was sparked into life with a quick tap penalty taken by Ben Ransom which caught the Yorkshire defence off-guard. With defenders struggling to work back Ross Neal made the most of the opportunity stepping past would-be tacklers to run in for a score.

                Irish, now with momentum on their side, continued to apply pressure to the Yorkshire defence. With a penalty kicked to the corner, Irish looked to increase their lead and did so immediately, as Gilsenan’s powerful carry was stopped just short which gave Jebb Sinclair an opportunity to bundle over the line and score on his return from long-term injury.  London Irish sealed the victory with 10 minutes to go as a long floated pass out wide from 19 year old fly-half Atkins finds Ross Neal, who again caused problems for Yorkshire defenders before sending Topsy Ojo in for one of his simplest tries.

                While Irish had the game wrapped up, Yorkshire continued to work hard and were rewarded on the scoreboard for their efforts at the breakdown. With flanker Lewis Wilson breaking through the middle of a ruck and hacking the ball through as Stevie McColl used his pace to beat the Irish defence and fall on the ball over the try line. Yorkshire continued to press in the dying moments being forced to attack from deep, but handling errors left the ball squirting along the ground where impressive winger Matt Williams collected and scored in the corner on the week of his 19^th birthday.

                The final score gave Irish a 37-14 victory over Carnegie, and ensured they progress to the semi-final stages of the British & Irish Cup. They will be pleased to have turned their second half dominance into points in such a clinical fashion with a very strong set-piece lead by Will Lloyd & Connor Gilsenan. There was also much to be excited about in the Irish backline as young players impressed, notably Jacob Atkins, Ross Neal & Matt Williams all put in impressive performances. Yorkshire will be proud of their work at the breakdown as they caused problems for Irish throughout the game with Bainbridge & Smith getting through a huge workload. While their lineout and scrummage struggled, they had plenty of pace in the backline with McColl & Arscott continuing to threaten, but too often being starved of possession.

                Matters will turn back to the league next weekend for both sides. London Irish will host Cornish Pirates for their annual St Patricks Day Party in front of a large crowd on Saturday 18^th. Yorkshire have a crucial game at Castle Park as they seek to end their losing run, which has now extended to four loses, as they hope to re-establish their hold on a home semi-final spot against third place Doncaster.

Controlled England victorious to claim U20’s Six Nations title

England put in a dominant performance against a valiant Scotland side to earn a 33-5 victory at Franklin’s Gardens. England controlled large portions of the game and pulled away in the second half in a victory that saw them crowned Six Nations champions.

U20 Six Nations Champions, England, line-up
for the pre-match anthems

    While Scotland had the bulk of the early possession, neither side were able to capitalise on their opportunities as the set piece failed to fire early on. It was a mistake from a Scottish lineout that lead to the first points of the game as Langdon pounced on an overthrown ball before Ben Curry made yards up the field.  With the Scottish defence out of position a strong carry from flanker Jack Nay saw him over for the opening try.

                England controlled the rest of the half keeping Scotland pinned back inside their own half, and while having several opportunities to attack, the Scottish defence held England out despite periods of sustained pressure. Scotland failed to gain a foothold in the match as the England scrum dominance allowed them to control the tempo. It was some neat handling just before half-time that saw England double their lead, Zach Mercer and Harry Randall linking up to allow the scrum half over in the corner. England leading at half-time 14-0.

                England started the second half as they finished the first. With Scotland deep inside their own half and attacking from deep, a miskicked chip was collected easily by Will Butler. England used their width well and Tom Parton put Dominic Morris in for a try early in the second half. However, Scotland hit back immediately with a great individual score from winger Darcy Graham as he showed his pace to break in behind England and then a strong carry to see him finish off the score. With the score at 19-5, Scotland began to work themselves back into the game for a short period but failed to add to the scoreboard.

England soon regained control of the game with further dominance up front failing to allow Scotland any clean ball from the set piece. The Scottish players continued to defend at a very high intensity and did not allow England to threaten the try line. However a handling error from Scotland saw a ball on the ground hacked through by England lock Josh Caulfield, and a fumble from the last Scottish defender allowed Zach Mercer  to cap off an impressive performance with a simple try. England finished the game in style as their dangerous backline connected with neat offloading between Cokanasiga & Mercer gave replacement fly-half Theo Brophy Clews a 30m footrace to the whitewash, scoring in the corner.

The final score was a convincing 33-5 victory for England who controlled the vast majority of the game, with huge credit going to the forward pack which caused problems for Scotland’s scrummage and never allowed them to build momentum. Despite early problems at the lineout, hooker Langdon was very impressive in the loose and put in a huge amount of work. The backrow also were impressive in their handling skills and effort going forward, lead by captain Zach Mercer. The win means England remain undefeated in this seasons Six Nations and will travel to Dublin next week hoping to seal a Grand Slam when they play Ireland. However, it was England & Wales’ victories on the night that saw England crowned winners of this seasons U20 Six Nations Championship.

Axing the play-offs must only be the beginning of resuscitating the English second tier

This week the RFU scrapped the Championship play-off system that had proven the stumbling block for Bristol’s promotion back to the Aviva Premiership for a number of years. While this seemed like a sensible and long overdue decision, it does not necessarily address the plethora of concerns that continue to haunt English rugby’s second tier. With the recent and painful demise of London Welsh, there is still some way to go to provide a stable platform for teams not quite ready to face the likes of Saracens & Wasps.

While scrapping the dreaded play-offs is certainly a good thing, it fails to address the real issues in the Championship. While it will allow the team at the top to better prepare for promotion, allowing time for a proper recruitment strategy, it only really serves the interest of those at the very top of the Championship or bottom of the Premiership, namely Bristol, Yorkshire & London Irish. From 2018 the club at the top of the table will have sufficient time to ready themselves for the top flight, time that Bristol & London Welsh more recently found lacking.

                The RFU also announced a funding boost for all Championship sides, which will come as hugely welcome news in a division where financial strife is felt from top to bottom. However, even this may not be enough to rescue the division from its current state of limbo. The Championship needs re-thinking and re-working. There is such variety in the division it appears impossible for it to succeed in its current format.

This term London Irish at top and are clearly a professional outfit seeking immediate return to the Premiership. Cornish Pirates continue to push for playoff places, having made the final twice in the last six years, yet don’t have a ground that means the minimum standard criteria for the top flight. There are teams such as Bedford, who openly admit to not be seeking promotion, and this year semi-professional outfit Richmond are at the bottom of the table. The Championship is not a suitable proving ground for such diversity.

Ring-fencing, while looking like the simplest option, is in the long run likely to create a stagnant pool at the bottom to the Premiership. As we see with most top divisions in all sports across the northern hemisphere, promotion and relegation is part and parcel of the drama and passion. Therefore, we must create a competitive and suitably funded second tier. This would mean shedding teams for the current Championship to create a smaller group of teams with a desire to play Premiership rugby long term.

This smaller group of teams would mean the funding that the RFU currently give to the Championship would go further in supporting their costs, and allowing them more ambition in recruitment and facilities. In turn it would create more professional and competitive teams that are more likely to be able to compete when promoted to the Premiership. This would require commitment from those at the RFU to ensure that there is adequate funding, which is currently lacking to support all 12 sides in the division, and from the clubs involved to pursue a sustainable and competitive division.

The Championship does continue to provide exciting rugby, and vital experience for professional players. Loan agreements with Championship clubs have given players the opportunity to enhance their game at a decent level, with plenty of the current England squad having had Championship experience in their development. However, with low crowd numbers and a lack of direction, the Championship is in need of revamping. In its current format it is not a safe place to build a professional rugby club, you only need ask those at Old Deer Park about the perils of continuing on the same road, and it’s only a matter of time before others succumb to a similar fate. 

Outstanding talent on display at Premiership U18 Final’s Day

               There was skill and excitement aplenty as the top six teams met at Sixways for the Premiership U18 Academy League Final’s Day. There were three very different but equally compelling games on display which showed the promising future of the clubs as they competed for the places in the final standings.

                The day began with an open and expansive game which saw 10 tries scored in an exciting game between hosts Worcester Warriors and Saracens. That fixture was followed by a phenomenal demonstration of control and skill in a tight affair between Exeter Chiefs & Wasps, which would have rivalled some of their Premiership encounters. The final game between Harlequins & Sale Sharks was a real battle for victory as both teams sought to be crowned U18 champions for the season.

Worcester Warriors U18 36-26 Saracens U18

Worcester’s dominant first half performance and solid defensive effort saw them victors in the first game of Finals Day. Their heavy carrying forwards and skilful backline combined to cause problems for the Saracens defence with Worcester leading 24-12 at the break. The second half saw the Saracens replacements inject urgency into their side to turn the game around.  Despite Saracens leading in the second half, Worcester continued to fight to regain the lead and then a huge defensive effort denied a dangerous Saracens side to seal victory.

                There was some real attacking flair shown by both forwards and backs alike, with good handling, strong carrying and a lot of pace on display too.  With Ollie Lawrence, Cameron Harrison & Billy Young all scoring two tries, there were plenty of players who stood out. However it was Worcester captain and number 8 Ted Hill who impressed most for the home side with his tireless commitment and work rate in defence at crucial times as well as in attack. For the visitors Joel Kpoku led the charge well despite playing with a knock to the ankle, a highly rated prospect for the future, he carried well through the tackles and caused problems for the Worcester defence.

Exeter Chiefs U18 29-28 Wasps U18

                In a game played at a high level of skill and control throughout, it was Exeter who edged out Wasps in a game that would not have looked amiss between the two sides’ senior squads. With the lead swapping hands seven times in the game it was a fierce battle led by the strength & discipline of the Exeter forwards and the excitement & skill of the Wasps backline. The Exeter forwards dominated up front as they continued to gain territory, while Wasps were not to be outdone with impressive performances from their backline to put them into the lead. Exeter’s fly half pulled the strings late on however, to put Exeter back ahead which their defence saw them hold in the closing moments.

                Both teams matched the qualities of their respective senior’s sides. Wasps backline was a danger throughout with neat quick handling and dynamic running lines, with Sam Spink & Brenan Clark looking particularly threatening. Exeter, however, dominated up front with a tenacious performance from their forwards to provide a platform to victory, led by big Rusi Tuima & flanker Charlie Wright. The game was dominated by two outstanding performances from both fly halves. Jacob Umaga, who had started for England U20’s at the weekend, demonstrated his ability to lead the attack with wonderful handling and vision as well as accuracy from the tee. Gwyn Parks continued to impress as his kicking from hand continued to pin Wasps back as well as kicking 19 points himself from penalties and conversions, both are real bright prospects for the future.

Harlequins U18 20-8 Sale Sharks U18

                The final was a nervy affair but discipline and control saw Harlequins the victors and crowned champions of the Premiership Academy U18 League for 2016-17. It was Sale that started the brighter of the two sides as their set piece asserted itself as the dominant force early on, providing a good attacking platform inside the Harlequins half. However, late in the first half Harlequins built themselves into the game. This continued into the second half as they controlled possession and territory. Despite Sale endeavouring to attack from deep to get back into the game, it was a late score for Harlequins that sealed the victory.

                Harlequins were deserving winners after strong performances throughout the season, and showing real maturity to control the second half of the final. The Sale set-piece showed promise early on and caused Harlequins problems with Sam Dugdale and Nic Dolly leading the charge. Harlequins lock pairing Hugh Tizard & Henry Paremain impressed with a solid defensive effort as well as dominating the breakdown battle. Fly-half Marcus Smith was the star performer from the final as he controlled the game well with real composure.

Bright future from the stars of 2016-17 Academy League

Throughout the season in both the league and on finals day, the high intensity and skill level on show has been hugely impressive. There were really competitive fixtures across the divisions reflected in the entertaining matches at Sixways. There are a huge number of talented individuals around the squads who will be fighting to be retained by their respective Premiership squads. However, all the players on show should be proud of the commitment and desire that was evident to all as they gained invaluable experience at such a high level. If this is the future of English rugby, then there is a lot to be excited about.

Harlequins control sees them crowned U18 Champions in win over Sale

The final fixture of this season’s Premiership Under 18 Academy League was between Harlequins and Sale Sharks. Both sides were dominant in their respective conferences and lost only one game in the league campaign. The final took place under the floodlights at Sixways in front of an impressive crowd including a number of senior players and coaches, with the winners being crowned champions of the league for 2016-17.

                It was a nervy start to the game with neither side willing to risk too much and well drilled defences keeping either side from gaining an early score. The Sale set piece looked to be in the ascendency as it provided a good platform for Sale to build an attack. Defence continued to prove strong as Quins repelled Sale, however eventually Sale scrum half Matt Sturgess attacked the fringe of a ruck and his quick feet got him over the line for the first score of the game.

                Sale continued to apply pressure as they controlled the attack well and made steady progress up the field. The Harlequins defence continued to deny Sale any significant gain in territory but eventually gave away a penalty in front of the posts. The simple kick for Kieran Wilkinson gave Sale a 0-8 lead. Harlequins had their opportunities in the half with ball in hand but occasional handling errors meant they were not able to capitalise.

                It was clear that Harlequins were beginning to work themselves into the game in the closing stages of the half with more possession and steady progress into the Sale half. A penalty for a high tackle shortly before the half-time whistle gave Marcus Smith a chance to get Quins on the scoreboard. A successful kick brought the half-time score to Harlequins 3-8 Sale Sharks.

                Harlequins started the second half as they ended the first, gaining steady control and territory. Quins’ forwards took charge after a strong driving maul put them in a good position on the Sale 22m. Several phases later the forwards had carried up to the Sale line before backrow Luke James finished off the attack as he stretched out and reached for the try line. The conversion gave Harlequins the lead at 10-8.

                With Harlequins in control of the game, Sale were looking to create their own opportunities to attack with ball in hand. However, with Quins controlling territory Sale had to attack from deep inside their own half. The risk didn’t pay off however as they gave away a penalty in front of the posts after breaking outside their 22m. The penalty was neatly slotted by fly-half Smith to extend the lead to 13-8.

                The game was put to bed shortly afterwards as two pieces of individual brilliance created a try for Quins out of nothing. Firstly Smith showed his own pace and skill with a quick counter attack that brought Harlequins up to halfway, and then winger McDuffus demonstrated his own quick feet as he stepped out of two tackles and burst free before racing in from 40m out to score under the posts, the conversion giving Harlequins an unassailable 20-8 lead.

                Despite Sale upping the tempo in the dying moments of the game and looking to threaten, Harlequins defence saw the game out before the ball was booted off the park. The full-time whistle sparked celebrations both on and off the pitch for the Harlequins players and supporters, as they became Premiership  Under 18 League champions.

                After a tight and nervy start, as to be expected in a final, Sale looked to be building a strong performance. Their set piece provided a good platform for the Sale back line to attack but Harlequins defence kept the deficit low before building themselves into the game in the late stages in the first half. That confidence was clearly carried into the second half as Harlequins controlled the second period, keeping Sale pinned well back in their own half and retaining possession well.

                Sale, having given themselves an early lead, will be disappointed to have allowed Harlequins into the game late in the first half and give momentum away. However, they can be pleased that their defensive effort kept the score close till the dying moments of the game. Number 8, Sam Dugdale and hooker, Nic Dolly should take the plaudits for a strong set piece and forwards performance early in the half. While fly-half Kieran Wilkinson controlled the game early on with well-placed kicks from hand.

                Harlequins will be delighted to have fought their way back into the game and controlled large parts of the second half. Credit should go to the lock pairing of Hugh Tizard & Henry Paremain who were very solid defensively and caused trouble for Sale at the breakdown, while centre Jake Hennessey looked threatening with ball in hand, causing the Sale defence trouble with his bright running lines. Having controlled the game from fly-half, Marcus Smith’s  composed performance despite the pressure of a final, earned Harlequins the victory as he controlled the attack and took the points on offer well.