Match action
Harlequins .......... 47pts Jersey Reds ........ 21pts
JOHN Kingston admits Marland Yarde is “hurting” after being snubbed by Eddie Jones again for the EPS squad.
But the Quins director of rugby backed Yarde to force his way back into the England set-up after the wing scored two tries in a comfortable win over Jersey.
Yarde, who had hoped he had done enough to stay in the international set-up after touring Argentina, was left out of the recent Oxford training camp.
Denny Solomona’s drinking indiscretion during the camp when he and Manu Tuilagi were sent home, may have opened a route for Yarde into the autumn internationals.
Kingston says: “Marland wants to reach the top and stay there. He will be hurting that he wasn’t in the EPS squad but he has just got his head down.
“He’s a tried and tested top player. He works so hard when he’s training and on the pitch. He is all action and physical, and sometimes doesn’t get the rewards he deserves.”
Quins grabbed seven tries against Championship outfit Jersey who themselves crossed for three late efforts.
Charlie Walker, Mark Lambert, Marcus Smith, Jamie Roberts and Tim Visser also crossed for the hosts.
Replacements Brendan Cope and Apakuki Ma’afu replied with second half efforts for the Reds who certainly gave Quins a good work out. Wing Tom Pincus also ran nearly 70 yards for a superb solo.
England men Chris Robshaw, Danny Care and Mike Brown were on show and centre Francis Saili made his first start.
Quins grabbed their first try within a minute. Brown raced clear and chipped low towards the Reds line and left wing Walker picked up to saunter over.
Care fed loosehead Lambert for the second try following a rapid attack which stretched the Reds defence to breaking point, and the forward crashed over from close range. Smith added the extras.
Quins flanker Jack Clifford was sin binned for deliberate foul play but Reds could not take advantage and the Londoners grabbed further tries with Yarde bursting over twice just before the break for a 21-0 lead.
Smith converted Yarde’s second and then scored himself before Wales international Jamie Roberts surged over just seconds after coming onto the field.
Reds enjoyed a purple patch with three fine tries. Fly-half Cope, Ma’afu and PIncus crossed before Tim Visser replied for Quins at the death.
Kingston said: “It was exactly what we needed against a very competitive Jersey side. If they put as much effort into their Championship games they will do very well.”
Jersey head coach Harvey Biljon, said: “Quins were clinical and that’s what we have to learn if we’re going to do well. We had territory and pressure but could not make it tell. But the character and determination to keep going and get those tries in the second half was great.”