Harlequins 57-19 Vannes – Quins run in 9 tries to win Challenge Cup opener

European Challenge Cup

Harlequins (26) 57

Tries: Murley 2, Smith 2, Hobson, Riley, Evans 2, Staples Cons: Smith 6

Vannes (14) 19

Tries: De Benedittis, Benmegal 2 Con: Cotormanac’h 2

Harlequins put apart their difficulties within the early weeks of the brand new Prem season to begin their 2026-27 Challenge Cup marketing campaign with a welcome bonus-point win over French membership Vannes.

Quins are backside of the Prem after dropping all three of their matches, however they have been far too robust for his or her guests, clocking up 9 tries.

England again Marcus Smith contributed 22 factors courtesy of two tries and 6 conversions, whereas there have been two tries from captain Cadan Murley and Will Evans and additional efforts from Will Hobson, Sam Riley and Jimmy Staples.

Vannes, who’re backside of the Top 14 with 4 losses out of 4, contributed three tries of their very own due to Wayan De Benedittis and two from winger Enzo Benmegal.

It was Quins’ first match at this stage of this competitors since 2018 whereas the Prem outfit have gained the Challenge Cup on a record-equalling three events, though not since 2011.

But quite than having to entrance up towards a European powerhouse, that they had a morale-boosting encounter towards a facet who gained the Pro D2, France’s second tier, final season.

Murley and Smith began the scoring earlier than De Benedittis crossed to get the guests on the board.

Hobson powered over earlier than a deliberate knock-on from Quins fly-half Smith noticed him yellow-carded – and with a person much less, Benmegal grabbed two tries, together with one with a spectacular acrobatic end.

But in between these, Murley had grabbed his second and with the numbers evened up, the English facet dominated the rest of the competition, as their forwards made hay.

Four of the following 5 tries got here from the pack with Riley, Evans with two and alternative hooker Staples underlining that dominance.

The different attempt was a second for Smith as he swapped passes with Luke Northmore to say a double after additionally grabbing two final Sunday at Sale Sharks in his first look of the season.

Harlequins will now look to take the arrogance gained from this victory into their Prem derby at residence to Saracens subsequent Sunday as they attempt to get their league marketing campaign up and working.

Harlequins: Furbank; Isgro, Northmore, Bradley, Murley; Smith, Friday; Hobson, Riley, Streeter, Dun, Treadwell, Petti Pagadizabal, Driscoll, Schmid.

Replacements: Staples, Johnson-Holmes, Delgado, E Williams, Browne, Evans, Porter, T Green.

Sin-bin: Smith (37)

Vannes: Jonas; Bard, Boulier, Tabuavou, Benmegal; Cotormanac’h, Kuruvoli; De Benedittis, Beziat, Medrano, Ployet, Desjeux, Pedemonte, Blanc-Mappaz, Brown.

Replacements: El Bibouji, Djehi, Bourgeois, Stegehuis, Paul, Alania, Gicquel, Taccola.

Sin-bin: Stegenhuis (77)

Referee: Peter Martin (Ireland)