Bristol Bears moved to the top of the Premiership as the visitors produced a statement performance against Harlequins to spoil Joe Marler’s farewell.
The high-flying Bears ran riot at the Twickenham stoop, showcasing all the flicks and tricks that make Pat Lam’s side the league’s great entertainers. Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Gabriel Ibitoye and Viliame Mata - making a long-awaited debut after an injury-hit time since a summer switch from Edinburgh - were all to the fore in a 48-24 win.
It took the shine off a night where the hosts said adieu to one of their finest servants. Having announced his international retirement during November, prop Marler had brought forward his club curtain call. He departed just before the 50-minute mark to a standing ovation - one of precious few on a difficult night for the London club in the absence of Marcus Smith.
Re-live all of the action from the Stoop in our live blog below:
Harlequins vs Bristol
- Harlequins host Bristol at the Twickenham Stoop | Live on TNT Sports
- TRY! Harlequins 17-21 BRISTOL (Kieran Marmion, 40 minutes)
- TRY! Harlequins 17-28 BRISTOL (Viliame Mata, 44 minutes)
- TRY! Harlequins 17-38 BRISTOL (Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 53 minutes)
- TRY! Harlequins 17-45 BRISTOL (Santiago Grondona, 56 minutes)
- TRY! HARLEQUINS 24-45 Bristol (Tyrone Green, 64 minutes)
Bristol run riot against Harlequins to spoil Joe Marler’s retirement party
22:06 , Harry Latham-CoyleHarlequins said goodbye to Joe Marler and their reputation as one of the Gallagher Premiership’s meanest defences this season as irresistible Bristol stormed The Stoop 48-24.
Marler’s final match before retirement was a prop’s worst nightmare as 10 tries lit-up a breathless encounter that saw the Bears issue emphatic confirmation of their status as title contenders.
The 34-year-old made his 286th and last appearance for Harlequins just four weeks after announcing his England career was over and he left the field to a standing ovation in the 48th minute.
When one of the game’s biggest characters disappeared down the tunnel Quins were still in contention, but Bristol quickly galloped out of sight in a dominant third quarter decorated by three outstanding tries.
Bristol run riot against Harlequins to spoil Joe Marler’s retirement party
Joe Marler speaks to TNT Sports after his retirement
21:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle“I’m blown away by the fans here. I’ve got so many fond memories, and it’s thanks to them and the boys I’ve played with. But god I’m ready. I was out there thinking, ‘I can’t do this’. That first ten minutes, I was thinking, ‘this is dark’.
“It’s been wonderful. The game has been so good to me considering I’ve been so bad to it. I’ve loved every minute of it. I guess it’s over now.”
“There’s loads of reasons. I couldn’t do it more emotionally, physically, mentally. After the England announcement, this was inevitable. I’d rather go out now than flog a dead horse for six months. I actually went out last week but they said, ‘can you come back for one more game because Fin [Baxter] needs a rest. The time is right when you know.
“There might be a game later on in the season that I might come back for. What am I doing next week? I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about that. I’m just going to take some time to sit and chill.
“The fans have been so good. I used to be really uncomfortable with the fans. I didn’t get it. I was really rude to them a lot. I felt uncomfortable when people wanted a picture or were shouting my name. But then Covid happened, and the fans were gone, and it was soulless. It made me realise a big reason why I played was for the fans. The atmosphere and energy they bring – without them, the game is nothing. I’ve enjoyed my time.”
Newcastle stun Saracens
21:53 , Harry Latham-CoyleUp at Kingston Park, Newcastle have pulled off a stunning win over Saracens. Fair play to Steve Diamond, who is doing some job in the North East.
FT: Newcastle Falcons 17 Saracens 12.
— Newcastle Falcons (@FalconsRugby) November 29, 2024
We've done it!
In front of a season-high home crowd.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to a remarkable evening.#TrueNorth pic.twitter.com/Y9Rf8ihNb8
FT: Harlequins 24-48 Bristol
21:33 , Harry Latham-CoyleMightily, mightily impressive from the visitors as Harlequins wqere comprehensively put to the sword. The two squads give Joe Marler a special tunneled farewell on a disappointing night for the retiring prop and his teammates.
FULL TIME: Harlequins 24-48 Bristol
21:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Harlequins 24-48 Bristol, 79 minutes
21:27 , Harry Latham-CoyleA forward pass from an offloading Alex Dombrandt goes unspotted by the officials, but a knock on from Nick David does not. That should be that, unless Bristol fancy one more gallop.
Harlequins 24-48 Bristol, 77 minutes
21:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe hosts begin to threaten inside the Bristol 22 but the Bears read a rather lax pass, picking it off. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (who appears to have gone to fly half) belts the ball 60 metres upfield and leads the chase to make an outstanding spot tackle on Rodrigo Isgro. He’s some player.
Harlequins 24-48 Bristol, 75 minutes
21:23 , Harry Latham-CoyleUp at Kingston Park, a seismic shock is very much on - Newcastle still lead Saracens by 12 points with time running short. Wow.
In our somewhat less interesting encounter, young playmaker Jamie Benson is on for Harlequins at inside centre.
PENALTY! Harlequins 24-48 BRISTOL (AJ MacGinty, 74 minutes)
21:21 , Harry Latham-CoyleStraight and true. That’s AJ MacGinty’s last act, replaced by youngster Oscar Lennon.
Harlequins 24-45 Bristol, 72 minutes
21:19 , Harry Latham-CoyleMore vibrant stuff from Bristol as they gobble up 40 metres with ease. An offside penalty should allow the very, very impressive AJ MacGinty to nudge them closer to 50.
Harlequins 24-45 Bristol, 68 minutes
21:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleHarlequins are then pinged at a midfield breakdown. Bristol work away to the right from a lineout on the left with Gabriel Ibitoye used as a roaming receiver, his transfer fast and accurate as Jack Bates again makes metres. That’s good from Quins, though, Alex Dombrandt over the top in a picture-perfect jackal to earn a penalty.
Harlequins 24-45 Bristol, 66 minutes
21:13 , Harry Latham-CoyleA couple of penalties allow Harlequins to foray down towards the Bristol 22, but an inefficient lineout drill costs them 20 metres.
The attacking play is spritely and Tyrone Green scurries for a gap, though it is soon cut off as Bristol scramble well. Green ambitiously tosses off his chest straight into touch.
TRY! HARLEQUINS 24-45 Bristol (Tyrone Green, 64 minutes)
21:11 , Harry Latham-CoyleHe has! An offload was knocked back by the hands of Bristol’s Kalaveti Ravouvou and Tyrone Green was sharpest to react. He toes the ball beyond Kieran Marmion like a football winger aware he’s got the beating of his marker for pace, rounding the retreating scrum half in pursuit of the ball and holding off the Bristol tackler to ground emphatically. Over goes the conversion - now then?....
Try?
21:09 , Harry Latham-CoyleHas Tyrone Green managed to get that down? A friendly bounce and hack ahead might just have allowed the full-back to score...
Harlequins 17-45 Bristol, 61 minutes
21:07 , Harry Latham-CoyleA vital turnover in the shadow of their own posts spares Harlequins from another score.
Changes for both teams. Jack Walker is replaced by Nathan Jibulu at hooker for the hosts; Max Lahiff and Viliame Mata take leave for Bristol as Lovejoy Chawatama and Benjamin Grondona come on.
Harlequins 17-45 Bristol, 59 minutes
21:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleA Harlequins fan reminds the side of the remarkable Premiership semi-final comeback in 2021, though I think this is a situation that even the boys of “Bris-tanbul” would admit is beyond them. Besides, Bristol look capable of adding plenty more to their current tally.
Newcastle, by the way, still lead Saracens 17-5 up at Kingston Park.
TRY! Harlequins 17-45 BRISTOL (Santiago Grondona, 56 minutes)
21:02 , Harry Latham-CoyleSeven more! More gorgeous handling from the Bears up the left and Santiago Grondona has the toe to zoom into the corner. Well well well. This is becoming a proper pasting.
Harlequins 17-38 Bristol, 55 minutes
21:01 , Harry Latham-CoyleThings are threatening to unravel for Harlequins here. Simon Kerrod’s return restores them to full complement but that yellow card period cost them 17 points.
TRY! Harlequins 17-38 BRISTOL (Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 53 minutes)
21:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnother Bristol pearler - created and scored by Benhard Janse van Rensburg!
Ooh, this is tasty. A delectable pass off the left hand from the Bristol centre is perfectly weighted for Jack Bates to scamper on to, the wing collecting the pot of gold at the end of a most beautiful rainbow. Bates returns to his colleague, who gambols away in delight. A serious score to leave Harlequins in a serious hole.
Harlequins 17-31 Bristol, 52 minutes
20:57 , Harry Latham-CoyleWith that out of the way, Harlequins turns their attentions to sparking a turnaround, though they are on the defensive, struggling to escape their own territory and unable to contest for a shallow kick. The danger sirens sound...
Harlequins 17-31 Bristol, 50 minutes
20:56 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Twickenham Stoop rises to its feet - the moment has arrived. Over to the touchline Joe Marler trudges for the final time. Barring injury or incident (or another retirement reversal), that’s that for the career of one of England’s great props and Harlequins’ finest servants.
Fin Baxter gives his mentor a big bear hug.
PENALTY! Harlequins 17-31 BRISTOL (AJ MacGinty, 49 minutes)
20:54 , Harry Latham-CoyleOver it goes. Bristol extend their advantage.
Harlequins 17-28 Bristol, 47 minutes
20:53 , Harry Latham-CoyleA mighty Viliame Mata cleanout draws the ire of the home fans but it appears all was legal in the Bristol man’s challenge. A previous penalty for the Bears is returned to, and AJ MacGinty will take the three points readily on offer.
🟨 Yellow card for Quins and quick score from the penalty for @BristolBears!
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 29, 2024
🐻 Viliame Mata scores on debut!#HARvBRI | #GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/wsBbkOPITA
Harlequins 17-28 Bristol, 46 minutes
20:52 , Harry Latham-CoyleA crucial period this for Harlequins - if they can survive this sin bin period without conceding again they will have hopes of a fightback, but another Bristol try may scupper their hopes.
And they almost gift the Bears one! Gabriel Ibitpoyre can’t quite clutch cleanly having got himself in intercepting position.
TRY! Harlequins 17-28 BRISTOL (Viliame Mata, 44 minutes)
20:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnd a tidy quick tap routine sends the hulking Viliame Mata over!
The Fijian number eight bursts between the bodies and to the line as Bristol strike fast and first in the second half.
YELLOW CARD! Simon Kerrod is sent to the sin bin! Harlequins 17-21 Bristol, 43 minutes
20:49 , Harry Latham-CoyleDisaster for Harlequins! After a kick through, they are turned over five metres from their own line and offside prop Simon Kerrod makes a cynical tackle. Off to the bin he goes...
Harlequins 17-21 Bristol, 42 minutes
20:47 , Harry Latham-CoyleHarlequins kick a penalty down into the Bristol half, but a slightly clunky lineout routine stalls momentum somewhat. From deeper, Rodrigo Isgro threatens the outside but is caught in a snaring low tackle by AJ MacGinty.
Second half...
20:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe players have re-emerged. How much longer does Joe Marler have before he bids adieu, passing the torch to replacement Fin Baxter? He’s back out there for now - but Joe Launchbury has been replaced by George Hammond in the Harlequins second row.
HT: Harlequins 17-21 Bristol
20:34 , Harry Latham-CoyleLively stuff at the Stoop, as one would have expected. Dynamic, daring and more than a little slapdash, Bristol are deserved leaders having put together more consistently threatening play in attack - but we’re very much in the balance under the Friday night lights.
Meanwhile, up in Newcastle, a major story is brewing with Falcons leading Saracens by 12 points at the interval with the help of this Adam Radwan score:
Kingston Park is rocking! 🔊
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 29, 2024
Adam Radwan's first touch of the ball results in a try! #GallagherPrem | #NEWvSAR pic.twitter.com/N0NOcWU9It
HALF TIME: Harlequins 17-21 Bristol
20:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle
TRY! Harlequins 17-21 BRISTOL (Kieran Marmion, 40 minutes)
20:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleBut it’s the Bears hooting and hollering at the half as they strike on the stroke of the interval!
More delicious attacking rugby. Lumbering lock Joe Owen combines with the prominent Gabriel Ibitoye, who allows Kieran Marmion to provide the finishing touches.
Harlequins 17-14 Bristol, 39 minutes
20:28 , Harry Latham-CoyleA neat encapsulation of the Gabs Ibitoye experience, there - the Bristol wing beats three defenders with a weaving surge, evading contact with effortless ease. But, having done the hard work and created space for his teammates, Ibitoye throws a needless, careless, directionless offload.
Harlequins 17-14 Bristol, 37 minutes
20:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleSparky stuff down the short side from Harlequins with Cadan Murley again the beneficiary. His attempted grubber is lacking in puff but tumbles into touch off a Bristol boot.
Alas, the hosts can’t make much of their advanced possession - a forward pass in first phase attack.
Harlequins 17-14 Bristol, 35 minutes
20:24 , Harry Latham-CoyleFast and loose like a lubricated Lindy Hop as both teams trade errors on halfway. The first knock-on is from Bristol, so it will be Harlequins’ scrum to feed.
Harlequins 17-14 Bristol, 33 minutes
20:21 , Harry Latham-CoyleJoe Marler and Fitz Harding have a little spat on the deck after a ruck, Marler giving the Bristol captain an arm in the face and plenty of verbals. Harding has a word with referee Luke Pearce, who clears the tension a bit.
Sadly, Gabriel Oghre’s race is run - the hooker hadn’t quite ever recovered from that early injury and is replaced by Harry Thacker.
Harlequins 17-14 Bristol, 30 minutes
20:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleNearly another! This is more classcial attacking play from the hosts, Harlequins charging around the corner in unison to exploit a soft Bristol edge. Cadan Murley thunders into the 22 but his infield offload finds the hands of Bristol’s Benhard Janse van Rensburg.
Harlequins 17-14 Bristol, 30 minutes
20:19 , Harry Latham-CoyleBristol have to reset now, that double-strike puncturing an otherwise excellent start. Harlequins haven’t actually had to play any rugby to gain those 12 points, either, which will frustrate Pat Lam.
TRY! HARLEQUINS 17-14 Bristol (Luke Northmore, 27 minutes)
20:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleBroken ball and Harlequins pounce again!
Serious wheels from Luke Northmore! The centre isn’t necessarily a noted sprinter but this is sheer speed, picking up the pieces after his teammates had made a mess of Bristol’s breakdown and easing up through the gears. Jarrod Evans can’t convert.
Harlequins 12-14 Bristol, 24 minutes
20:13 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere is barely a moment to draw breath in this game so far. Harlequins now play quickly from the touchline, though their attempts to make inroads on the opposite side are scuppered by an inaccurate pass that floats over the head of the last man on the line.
Meanwhile, up at Kingston Park, Newcastle lead Saracens thanks to a try from Alex Hearle after this rather tidy early finish from Tobias Elliott.
What a finish that is from Tobias Elliott! 🔥
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 29, 2024
Five tries in eight games for the winger! ⭐️#GallagherPrem | #NEWvSAR pic.twitter.com/Q9XbvPJ6Pp
TRY! HARLEQUINS 12-14 Bristol (Cadan Murley, 22 minutes)
20:10 , Harry Latham-CoylePicked off, pulled in and Cadan Murley is off to the races!
A 14-point swing! Bristol build pressure and the gaps are starting to appear as Kieran Marmion flings to the right. But Murley is sharp as a tack, off the line in rapid fashion to pluck the duck and make off with the spoils. A 90-metre intercept score and doesn’t the Stoop love it!
Harlequins 5-14 Bristol, 20 minutes
20:08 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis opening 20 has flown by but Bristol are really starting to seize control. Their long, lean athletes are causing havoc, Viliame Mata, Santiago Grondona and co managing to free the arms and get offloads away.
Will Evans is pinged at a breakdown just outside Harlequins’ 22. You doubt Bristol will take the points...and they don’t, opting for the corner.
TRY! Harlequins 5-14 BRISTOL (Gabriel Ibitoye, 17 minutes)
20:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleUnder the posts untouched! A brilliant break from Kieran Marmion and Gabriel Ibitoye finishes it off!
It’s poor fringe defence from Harlequins, caught napping down the short side as Marmion snipes. Ibitoye cannily fades to the inside as Marmion puts him away and there’s no stopping the wing from there as he continues his red hot form against his old club.
Joe Marler gives his former teammate a bit of chat afterwards. Hmm...
Harlequins 5-7 Bristol, 16 minutes
20:03 , Harry Latham-CoyleOghre appears to have hurt himself in that passage, the hooker slow to get back to join his teammates in restart receipt formation. Replacement Harry Thacker is practicing a few throws on the touchline, suggesting Pat Lam is mulling a change, but Oghre will soldier on for now.
TRY! Harlequins 5-7 BRISTOL (Kalaveti Ravouvou, 14 minutes)
20:01 , Harry Latham-CoyleA length-of-the-field pearler from the visitors!
Gabriel Oghre is sprung up the right and shows such intelligence to wait for support having been isolated, ducking and weaving to allow his teammates to arrive. That affords Bristol the chance to spread the ball away to the left, where there are numbers. Kalaveti Ravouvou is the last man on the line and shakes off a would-be tackler before accelerating to the line. AJ MacGinty adds the extras to nudge away noses in front.
Harlequins 5-0 Bristol, 13 minutes
19:59 , Harry Latham-CoyleHarlequins make initial inroads on the attack but run out of numbers, forcing Tyrone Green to thread a kick through. It’s a good’un, tumbling out about seven metres from the Bristol line.
But Bristol want to play! Thrown quickly and off they go!
Harlequins 5-0 Bristol, 11 minutes
19:58 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnother bright attacking passage from the visitors sees them work their way down into the Harlequins 22, the ever effective MacGinty pulling the strings nicely. An untimely knock on again scuppers their progress, though.
Joe Marler says farewell to the Twickenham Stoop
19:57 , Harry Latham-CoyleHarlequins 5-0 Bristol, 9 minutes
19:56 , Harry Latham-CoyleBoth sides have come to play. Some lush handling from Bristol allow them to get to the edge where AJ MacGinty and Gabriel Oghre interchange neatly. Oghre transfers to Kieran Marmion, who is unaware of a retreating Harlequin as he is bashed from behind, spilling as he enters the Harlequins 22.
Harlequins 5-0 Bristol, 8 minutes
19:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleHarlequins feed a solid scrum and away comes Alex Dombrandt, making five metres through contact with impressive leg drive. Porter’s box kick is contested for but missed by a chasing Cadan Murley, and bounces into touch on the Bristol ten-metre line.
Harlequins 5-0 Bristol, 6 minutes
19:53 , Harry Latham-CoyleThat was a mess of Bristol’s own making, of course, but they won’t change their approach. Fijian centre Kalaveti Ravouvou scorches up the right touchline but can’t quite combine with inside support as Will Porter scrambles back really well.
TRY! HARLEQUINS 5-0 Bristol (Alex Dombrandt, 4 minutes)
19:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnd the skipper givves Harlequins a perfect start!
Silky stuff from Jarrod Evans! A delicate dummy from the fly half takes him through a gap as Gabriel Ibitoye bites to the outside, with Alex Dombrandt providing necessary support to complete the score as Evans draws and gives as he’s clattered by the last defender. A poor conversion from Evans sails wide.
Harlequins 0-0 Bristol, 3 minutes
19:49 , Harry Latham-CoyleStrong defence initially from Bristol, Santiago Grondona making a lovely chop tackle. But here come the hosts...
Harlequins 0-0 Bristol, 2 minutes
19:49 , Harry Latham-CoyleTyrone Green hares after a grubber and traps Gabriel Ibitoye just short of the Bristol line. Bears scrum half Kieran Marmion scrambles a kick away but Harlequins will throw a lineout inside the visitors’ 22.
Harlequins 0-0 Bristol, 1 minute
19:48 , Harry Latham-CoyleBristol rarely kick to clear their lines and the Bears are immediately into their phase play. A thumping hit form Luke Northmore on Fitz Harding stalls their momentum, though, before an errant Viliame Mata offload gives Harlequins an attacking opportunity.
KICK OFF!
19:46 , Harry Latham-CoyleHarlequins fly half Jarrod Evans gets proceedings underway.
Harlequins vs Bristol
19:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleJoe Marler leads Harlequins out to a standing ovation, bringing his brood of four kids with him as he takes to a pitch he knows so well for the final time. His teammates follow him out, jogging past their retiring loosehead as he poses for the snappers.
Harlequins vs Bristol
19:39 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe other Premiership game tonight is Newcastle against Saracens, which we’ll keep half an eye on. The DJ is pumping things up at the Stoop, though - it’s go time for Harlequins and Bristol.
Harlequins vs Bristol
19:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s a chilly but dry night in Twickenham, the warming sun of the afternoon having long since disappeared. The game between these two at the end of last season, as Danny Wilson notes, was properly chaotic and open - what does tonight have in store?
Harlequins coach Danny Wilson hoping defensive improvements bring rewards
19:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle“We’ve worked hard over the beginning part of the season on our defence,” Danny Wilson said this weekend. “We looked at the Bristol game at the end of last season, we were in the lead on 58 minutes and we ended up getting beaten quite comfortably. You can’t switch off for a second against a team like Bristol. They will play quick lineouts, quick taps, play from deep. They play a lot of rugby and they do it well. So our defensive game will need to be on top of the detail to know what’s coming, we’ve trained a lot on that this week.
“Also, we’re an attacking side that scores tries ourselves and we’ve got players who can do that. We showed that in our last game against Exeter with a number of internationals missing, so I’m excited about what we can bring in attack. I think it’s going to be a really exciting occasion. Hopefully not too stressful, but I’m sure it will be exciting.
“We put a bit a little bit more time focus on our defence because we needed to do that. But you’ve still seen our identity in attack, we’ve scored plenty of tries. Our lineout attack has been good, whether it is a strike off the lineout or a maul try. When we are getting into those positions, we seem to be taking them. If we can develop the weapon where we have a set-piece attack and an unstructured attack.”
Harlequins boss pays tribute to retiring Joe Marler
19:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle“Joe’s a remarkable character on and off the pitch and hugely popular with our supporters,” Danny Wilson said this week.
“In retirement he should rightly be recognised for his outstanding achievements for both club and country.
“In the modern game, it’s rare that players stay at one club for the duration of their professional career and that can’t be overlooked.”
Juvé ❤️#COYQ | @JoeMarler pic.twitter.com/cFN7O5kZTa
— Harlequins 🃏 (@Harlequins) November 29, 2024
Joe Marler set to say farewell
19:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleJoe Marler has brought forward his retirement plans after announcing that Harlequins’ Friday night clash with Bristol at The Stoop will be his final match.
Marler’s decision to hang up his boots comes three and a half weeks after he brought his time with England to an end.
The 34-year-old prop had indicated he would continue playing club rugby until the end of the season but he now bow out in front of Quins fans tonight.
Joe Marler shockingly changes retirement plans as announcement made
Team news - Bristol
18:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe visitors hand a debut to summer signing Viliame Mata, who is finally fit to feature after an injury-hit start to life in Bristol. A long injury and unavailability list, particularly in the front row, opens an opportunity for Lovejoy Chawatama to feature for the Bears in the Premiership for the first time as he takes on his former club.
Bristol XV: 1 Jake Woolmore, 2 Gabriel Oghre, 3 Max Lahiff; 4 James Dun, 5 Joe Owen; 6 Santiago Grondona, 7 Fitz Harding (captain), 8 Viliame Mata; 9 Kieran Marmion, 10 AJ MacGinty; 11 Gabriel Ibitoye, 12 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 13 Kalaveti Ravouvou, 14 Jack Bates; 15 Rich Lane.
Replacements: 16 Harry Thacker, 17 Yann Thomas, 18 Lovejoy Chawatama, 19 Steven Luatua, 20 Benjamin Grondona; 21 Oscar Lennon, 22 Joe Jenkins, 23 Benjamin Elizalde.
London calling 📞 #HARvBRI | @huboofulfilment pic.twitter.com/LksuGOqna4
— Bristol Bears 🐻 (@BristolBears) November 28, 2024
Team news - Harlequins
18:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleJoe Marler starts for one final time as a professional rugby player with the Harlequins loosehead set to bow out of the sport after this fixture. With Marcus Smith unavailable after his England exertions, Jarrod Evans is stationed at fly half, but Alex Dombrandt is able to feature and captains from number eight.
Harlequins XV: 1 Joe Marler, 2 Jack Walker, 3 Simon Kerrod; 4 Joe Launchbury, 5 Dino Lamb; 6 Jack Kenningham, 7 Will Evans, 8 Alex Dombrandt (captain); 9 Will Porter, 10 Jarrod Evans; 11 Cadan Murley, 12 Luke Northmore, 13 Oscar Beard, 14 Rodrigo Isgro; 15 Tyrone Green.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Jibulu, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Titi Lamositele, 19 George Hammond, 20 James Chisholm; 21 Danny Care, 22 Jamie Benson, 23 Nick David.
Our Starting XV for the Bears 🐻
— Harlequins 🃏 (@Harlequins) November 28, 2024
🤟 Final match for @JoeMarler
✨ Friday Night Lights
📲 https://t.co/DMmmbZeHMX
📦 Delivered by @DHLRugbyUK #COYQ #HARvBRI pic.twitter.com/oaL7K6c7DF
TNT Sports encouraged by Autumn Nations Series viewing figures
18:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe November rugby internationals have seen strong levels of interest across Europe with executives at governing bodies and broadcasters understood to be pleased with viewing figures.
TNT Sports, who are in their first year as the UK broadcaster of the Autumn Nations Series after taking over from Amazon, are said to be particularly encouraged by the week-on-week growth in interest in their first significant, sustained involvement in international rugby.
The England vs South Africa clash set a new record rugby audience for the channel, formerly BT Sport, with interest in line with top Premier League and Champions League games.
TNT Sports encouraged by Autumn Nations Series viewing figures
Marcus Smith insists he is still developing despite praise from Eddie Jones
18:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleMarcus Smith insists he is still a work in progress despite emerging from the autumn as England’s most influential player.
While Smith’s ability to get the most out of his backline is now a topic of debate, he left Allianz Stadium on Sunday with praise from Japan boss Eddie Jones ringing in his ears.
Jones, England’s head coach from 2015 to 2022, gave the 25-year-old his Test debut in 2021 and marvels at the player he has become.
“I look at Marcus today, having brought him in when he was young. Now he’s so competent in his decision making,” Jones said after Japan’s 59-14 mauling.
Marcus Smith insists he is still developing despite praise from Eddie Jones
Why have the southern hemisphere sides been so dominant this autumn?
18:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere is one more internationaal fixture yet to go before November is out, Andy Farrell’s Ireland taking on Joe Schmidt’s Australia in a rather tasty hors d’ouevre ahead of next summer’s British & Irish Lions banquet. Can the Wallabies sign off with a win and continue a November where the Rugby Championship nations have proved strong? Luke Baker explores the southern supremacy:
Why have the southern hemisphere sides been so dominant this autumn?
RFU chief paid £1.1m despite record losses and job cuts
17:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleRugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney is to be paid £1.1m for the last financial year despite the governing body reporting record losses and making 42 staff redundant.
The RFU’s annual report, that includes its accounts for the year until June 30, shows an operating loss of £37.9m - the highest it has recorded.
Also within the report is the remuneration for board directors which shows that Sweeney is being paid a combined salary and bonus of £742,000 as well as a one-off sum of £358,000, lifting the total to £1.1m.
Sweeney’s salary is an 8.5 per cent increase over 12 months after he was paid £684,000 in 2023.
What next for England after frustrating autumn? Five questions Steve Borthwick must answer before Six Nations
17:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleA record of just five wins from 12 games in 2024 reflects a year of missed chances for England. From Lyon in the spring to Auckland in the summer right through to three defeats in November, Steve Borthwick’s side repeatedly put themselves in winning positions this year yet, come the crunch, failed or faltered.
After a third-place finish at last year’s World Cup, the team has undergone a relatively significant regeneration. Nine new caps have made their international debuts, while other relatively inexperienced individuals like Tommy Freeman and George Furbank have been given new prominence within the set-up.
While their final-quarter collapses have undermined much of the progress made, Borthwick is confident he has the pieces in place to build a winning team. The head coach has regularly cited the youthful age profile of his squad while retaining a senior leadership group he has full faith in. He is confident that the upheaval caused by the shock departures of defence coach Felix Jones and strength and conditioning guru Aled Walters will not be repeated.
But the start of the Six Nations is highly demanding: a trip to Ireland on the opening weekend is followed by a first home clash with France since a record defeat at Twickenham in 2023. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) have set an ambitious ask of four wins from five in the spring campaign, something England have not achieved since the 2020 edition.
Here are five key questions that Borthwick must address to set England up for success.
What next for England after frustrating autumn? Five key questions to answer
Harlequins vs Bristol LIVE
11:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleGood evening and welcome to The Independent’s LIVE coverage of an intriguing clash between Harlequins and Bristol Bears as the Premiership returns after a busy November of international action. The visitors are eyeing top spot in the table ass they travel to the Twickenham Stoop, but will face a home side desperate to give retiring prop Joe Marler a special send-off.
Kick off is at 7.45pm GMT.
