Marler in dock again as Quins fall short
IT WAS meant to have been a glorious sendoff for their departing director of rugby, but Conor O’Shea didn’t receive the farewell gift he craved in the Challenge Cup final last night.
Harlequins were gallant and refused to go quietly, but they couldn’t withstand the multinational class and power of Montpellier. O’Shea, the Irishman who had guided Quins to a Premiership title triumph in 2012, had to settle for a runnersup finish in his last European campaign before taking charge of Italy this summer.
There had been other driving factors for Quins. In the most sombre, poignant sense, they were playing for their academy player, Seb Adeniran-Olule, who died in a car accident just days ago. They played with considerable spirit in his name, too, after the minute’s silence in honour of the fallen rookie.
Worryingly for England, Joe Marler’s latest comeback from a ban led to an incident which may be closely scrutinised by the citing officer. The prop, returning from a two-week suspension for kicking an opponent in the head, appeared to lead with an elbow when charging into a ruck. Footage was inconclusive, but there may be a case to answer.
The contest began in abrasive fashion, with plenty of breakdown ferocity but not much in the way of attacking fluency. The kickers were soon involved, Nick Evans slotting the game’s first penalty in the fifth minute and Demetri Catrakilis responding in kind three minutes later.
Evans missed his next shot, which hit a post and bounced out, and it was all quite tetchy and tense on both sides. Mike Brown, Quins’ England full back, normally so resolute, had two lapses in quick succession, knocking on a high kick before slicing a clearance into touch under no real pressure.
In the 18th minute the mighty Montpellier pack were ominously rumbling towards the Quins line with a rolling maul but the ball fell loose and Care cleared. But the scrum-half could do nothing to prevent the ‘home’ team surging ahead soon after.
He did manage to bring down rampaging lock Paul Willemse but Montpellier spread the ball left, Marvin O’Connor created space with his footwork and passed out to Anthony Tuitavake. The centre advanced towards the Quins 22 and sent replacement full back Jesse Mogg away to touch down. Catrakilis converted to make it 10-3, before landing another penalty to give his side a 10-point lead.
On the half-hour, a stoppage in play brought replays on the big screen which suggested Marler had charged into a ruck seconds earlier and led with his elbow. Once again, the loosehead must wait to see if he will find himself in trouble.
Meanwhile, Harlequins rallied with two penalties in quick succession by Evans to keep the gap to just four points at the break. The Premiership club had appeared to benefit from most marginal calls by referee John Lacey during the first half and the Irish official came to their aid again shortly after the break. A loose pass by Care sparked a Montpellier breakaway and Timoci Nagusa scorched clear to cross the line, but play was brought back on the dubious basis that there had been an intentional knock-on.
However, the reprieve was fleeting. Catrakilis was put clear in the Quins 22 only to slip, but after a series of close- range drives, Mogg claimed a high cross-kick above Jamie Roberts and scored as he landed. Again, Catrakilis converted.
The fly-half landed another penalty in the 56th minute to put Montpellier two full scores clear and despite Harlequins’ increasing intensity and desperation, they couldn’t ignite a revival. When there was an opening, after Marland Yarde had surged to within range of the line, Tim Visser spilled a high kick to the wing by Brown and the chance was squandered.
Following another Catrakilis penalty, Yarde hit back with a try. Ben Botica converted brilliantly from the left touchline and with three minutes remaining, kicked a penalty to bring Quins within seven points. But with the clock on red and Quins in possession, he senselessly kicked away possession, allowing Montpellier to seal victory.