Premiership Cup: Alex Dombrandt grabs chance to make his case for England

By Gary Fitzgerald

Harlequins ……………………29pts

Tries: Hammond 10, Lewies 23, Dombrandt 31, Green 54

Conversions: Halfpenny 23, 32, 54

Penalty: J Evans 74

Saracens ……………………… 30pts

Tries: Jackson 12, Eke 38, Elliot 46, J Bracken 58

Conversions: Johnson 46, 58

Penalties: Johnson 26, 77

Alex Dombrandt gave Steve Borthwick a firm nudge in his direction with a rampaging display at The Stoop but the big No.8 was left frustrated by Quins’ failure to secure a home quarter-final despite finishing top of the pool.

Dombtandt showed the injury problems which ruined his hopes of a Six Nations spot are behind him as he crossed for a try during 80 minutes of power-packed carrying.

He ended up on the losing side of a fast, furious and close contest with rivals Sarries who, despite snatching the win with Louis Johnson’s late penalty, have missed out on qualification to the last eight.

Dombrandt, playing his 150th club game, looked ready to step back onto the international stage with some formidable attack surges and skilful support and offloads.

England Prospects

Asked if he expected to hear from the England head coach, Dombrandt replied: “I’ll see if I get a phone call. If not I will be at Quins trying to push this club forward.

“I’ve had a couple of recent conversions but it was more or less getting myself fit, get some minutes under my belt and see what happens.

“All my focus has been on my rehab and then what will be will be. I was just happy to be back out there having torn my calf and been out for a few weeks.

“I’ve been given a licence to get in the wide channels, pop up off 10 and find the ball as much as possible and try and make things happen.”

Saracens wing Tobias Elliott, who grabbed one of his side’s four tries, said: “We scrapped for each other and it’s a fine win. Our goal was to qualify but I’m still really proud of the boys.”

Match Action

Quins fly-half Jarrod Evans signed off for his unexpected recall by Wales with his old Cardiff mentor Matt Sherratt taking over as interim head coach following Warren Gatland’s departure.

Flanker George Hammond grabbed the first try for the hosts with a quick pick up and dot down but Sarries hit back with wing Brandon Jackson racing over on the left.

They lost flanker Max Eke to the sin bin for spoiling a Quins attack while lock Stephan Lewies claimed the hosts’ second try from short range. He left the action with a neck injury moments later.

Quins wing Cassius Cleaves went to the sin bin too for a dangerous tackle on Elliot as the two players’ heads clashed. Dombrandt shrugged off tackles to cross in the left corner. Eke returned to the fray but Sarries lost flanker Harry Wilson to a yellow card for a no-arms hit on Halfpenny.

Eke made a swift impact with the ball on his return by surging over for a try from close range.

Sarries edged ahead when Elliott intercepted Evans’ pass and out-paced Cleaves for a try. Cleaves sustained a hamstring injury and was replaced.

Dombrandt’s next charging run saw him send Tyrone Green free down the left for a try.

Sarries’ sent on brothers Jack and Charlie Bracken – sons of former England scrum-half Kyran – and Jack made an immediate impact, charging through a tackle to reach out and ground the ball. Johnson’s conversion edged them ahead.

Evans’ nudged Quins back into the lead with a penalty but Sarries had the last laugh with Erne Irbst penalised for a neck roll and Johnson kicking the decisive penalty with three minutes remaining.