Nick Easter helps Harlequins regain their verve
HARLEQUINS have given themselves a chance of becoming the first side to make the Heineken Cup quarter-finals after losing their first two pool matches by thrashing Racing Metro 32-8 in France.
Quins’ success was in contrast to the 40-7 hiding Leinster inflicted on Northampton .
Quins, with No8 Nick Easter superb, gained a bonus point and next host Racing at the Stoop in the second part of the mid-pool double-header. “We know how tough this pool is and now we have to back it up,” said Easter, above. “We have rediscovered our verve.”
Quins will also need to beat Clermont next month after the French side’s own 32-11 defeat of the Scarlets.
As for Northampton, they were on the end of a devastating display by Brian O’Driscoll .
“We were embarrassed out there,” said Saints coach Jim Mallinder. “We were outclassed.” His team play the return in Dublin on Saturday.
Helped by Jonny Wilkinson’s unlikely kicking inaccuracy until a late drop-goal, Exeter took defending champions Toulon all the way in Devon before going down 14-9.
Connacht stunned Toulouse 16-14 away in France, with Kieran Marmion scoring the crucial try for the Irish.
England wing Chris Ashton claimed two tries in Saracens’ 39-10 win over Zebre in Italy.