Harlequins v Bayonne: Five takeaways as Marcus Smith ‘masterminds’ 10-try thrashing as ‘Quins of old reappear’
Harlequins halfbacks Marcus Smith and Will Porter. Credit INPHO/Cat Goryn/EPCR Rugby and PA Images
Following Harlequins’ 68-14 victory over Bayonne at the Twickenham Stoop, here are our five takeaways from the Investec Champions Cup clash.
The top line
It was one-way traffic at the Stoop on a sunny Sunday in London as the Quins faithful were treated to a Marcus Smith masterclass as the fly-half inspired a 10-try thrashing of visitors Bayonne.
While it took 20-odd minutes for the hosts to really warm up, once the floodgates opened, the try-scoring never really stopped.
Cadan Murley and Kieran Treadwell were the first to benefit from their fly-half’s brilliance with Fin Baxter grabbing the Famous Quarters’ third try.
Bayonne found a response through Los Pumas international Lucas Paulos, but the day belonged to Quins with Pedro Delgado replying to his fellow countrymen’s five-pointer with one of his own to give the hosts a 28-7 buffer at the break.
Will Porter grabbed a brace early in the second half to resume the onslaught, scoring either side of Tom Springs try, with Sam Riley following suit with a pair of his own. Jamie Benson came off the bench to make it nine tries before Treadwell made it a hat-trick of braces for the home team, dotting down with three minutes left to play.
The result keeps Quins in the conversation for a play-off spot from Pool 3 but gave the Stoop faithful something to scream about after a frustrating start to the 2025/26 campaign.
Marcus magic
While Jarrod Evans certainly deserves credit for his efforts in Dublin, Harlequins are a different beast with their magical academy product in the number 10 jersey.
His fingerprints were all over the dominant second quarter of the first half with a delicious through ball for Murley, who read his fly-half’s intentions to perfection. Sure, they were on a penalty advantage, but Smith nailed the kick.
His second try assist was even more impressive as the ball flew over Spring’s head and into the grateful arms of Treadwell, who had a clear run to the line.
Smith even influenced Baxter’s try, threading the needle through to Cleaves, who charged into the Bayonne 22. The visitors conceded a penalty, and Quins went to touch, only for Jack Walker to launch his throw right over the set-piece. Who was there to clean up? Smith of course. His performance in the final quarter of the first half set the tone for Quins’ victory and continued that melody right to the final whistle and was fittingly named man of the match.
Everything the Famous Quarters did well today had something to do with Smith, even if he was just running a dummy line to stretch the defence.
That’s without forgetting the influence of his halfback partner Porter, who was denied a hat-trick when his number was called after he grabbed his second try in the 53rd minute.
Bayonne left with a lot to do
It was a mix-and-match team that Bayonne fielded today, and largely through the plethora of injuries that have plagued the side of late.
Manu Tuilagi was back in training this week but not risked while Gareth Anscombe has been sidelined too. Over the past two weeks, the French side has been bolstered by returnees and have brought those stars back into the matchday squads.
However, the ploy has not paid off with the Basque side losing their opening two Champions Cup fixtures and leaving them with a mountain to climb if they are to progress to the knockout stages.
It was also going to be a big ask to progress from Pool 3, but the task looks nigh-on impossible now with a trip to Welford Road to take on Leicester Tigers, followed by a visit from Leinster back at Stade Jean Dauger.
It would hardly be surprising if Bayonne name a youthful outfit for their final two pool games in January and shift their focus solely on the Top 14, where they are ranked fifth overall.
Quins must kick on
As for Harlequins, this performance sets them up perfectly for next week’s main event, Big Game 17 against Bristol Bears at the Allianz Stadium.
The Londoners’ form has been indifferent so far this season, winning just two of their opening six games in PREM Rugby before being put to the sword despite putting up a brave fight against Leinster last weekend.
The changes in the coaching staff before the start of their campaign certainly didn’t help, nor has the absence of Smith and other England stars.
However, today the Quins of old, a team that isn’t afraid to express themselves and chance their arm on attack, reappeared. Much of their performances this season have been defensively focused and risk-averse but today was a throwback to the glory days and perhaps a statement of intent of what we can expect going forward.
The real test now is whether they will be able to back up this weekend and play with the same spirit and ruthlessness against a Bristol outfit that is bound to put up a bigger fight.
Bayonne bring the travelling spirit
Much has been made of how the Champions Cup is not quite the tournament that it used to be, particularly after the inclusion of the South African teams.
The clubs travel further distances, the pools are overly complicated, and there is a strong argument to be made about just how worthwhile some of the pool stage matches actually are.
However, that did stop the travelling Bayonne supporters from making the absolute most of their trip to London, with a pocket of fans celebrating Spring’s try as they did when the club secured promotion back to the Top 14 in 2022.
And rightly so, this competition still holds a special place in the hearts of so many rugby-loving fans, and that was certainly the case for those who travelled from the Basque country as they paraded around Twickenham Stoop, cheered on by the Harlequins’ fans. To put the cherry on top, a late scuffle broke out, proving that there is still a bit of niggle and bite in these fixtures.
Sure, the competition isn’t perfect and could do with a tweak before next season but today felt like a nice throwback.