mens
Anglo-Welsh-Cup
Harlequins sits proudly at the top of Group B in the PREM Rugby Cup after bonus point wins in the first two matches.
Having won Leicester 45-21 in their first match, Harlequins returned to the Stoop a week later and again claimed all five points in a 29-14 comeback win against Northampton.
While the acid test will be a home game Bath at the Gallagher PREM on September 25, the London outfit look to be in much better shape than they were 12 months ago.
The sudden departure of Danny Wilson to join Wales coaching staff ahead of the 2025/26 season left Harlequins without a head coach, with defense coach Jason Gilmore having to fill in at short notice.
Despite Harlequins finishing ninth in the league, Gilmore was then handed a full-time role in a revamped rugby department that included input from former Wallabies head coach Robbie Deans as performance director.
With a full pre-season to put his stamp on things and Deans’ expertise and leadership to rely on, Gilmore feels Harlequins are much better prepared for what lies ahead.
Asked by TNT Sports’ Ug Monye, a former Harlequins player, what pleased him the most, Gilmore said: “I think the way the boys have attacked on Sunday, we’re going well Monday to Friday. I think the professionalism and the standards the boys are setting this year compared to last year has put us in a good place. If we can take care of that, Monday to Friday we should do well.”
Meanwhile in Group A, Gloucester bounced back from their narrow defeat to Bristol in the first round with seven tries, a 43-26 victory Sale Sharks, which sees them top the points table.
In the other two matches played this weekend, Exeter beat Bristol 45-21, which featured a first-half hat-trick for Olly Woodburn, and Newcastle Red Bulls started their Cup campaign with an impressive 36-24 win against Leicester.