Quins’ Catrakilis ‘stopped breathing’

HARLEQUINS fly-half Demetri Catrakilis was taken to hospital after he stopped breathing for several seconds during his side’s 28-17 victory over Gloucester.

He was injured by a shoulder hitting him near his throat minutes after he had kicked the first penalty at the Twickenham Stoop.

Harlequins director of rugby John Kingston said: “He has gone to hospital. He was struggling to breathe on the pitch. The area to breathe properly wasn’t clearing, he needed to get oxygen. They will probably assess him overnight.

“It is precautionary, but when you get a blockage like that, you have to react very quickly.”

Northampton atoned for their chastening opening-weekend rout by Saracens by shifting the spotlight on to Leicester’s poor start to the season, in a 24-11 win.

Exeter’s Rob Baxter was pleased to see the champions get back to winning ways as they beat London Irish 37-7.