A remarkable defensive shift led by the indefatigable Joe Marler ensured Harlequins hung on for the all-important losing bonus point to clinch a place in the European Champions Cup for the first time in three years and condemn Northampton to their worst finish since 2009.
Northampton sealed victory thanks to a try from the replacement lock Api Ratuniyarawa but their failure to either score a fourth or beat Harlequins by more than seven points means it is John Kingston’s side who finish sixth. Northampton may yet join them at Europe’s top table, having finished the season in seventh, but if Gloucester win the Challenge Cup they will take the Premiership’s play-off place.
Northampton have had a recent habit of losing matches late on and while this goes down as a victory in the ledger, again they could not maintain enough composure when it mattered. Having finished outside the top four the first time since in seven years last season, this campaign has been a further step backwards. To compound matters, Tom Wood hobbled off with a back injury that may yet rule him out of any play-off matches and England’s summer tour to Argentina.
“It has been a disappointing season,” said Northampton’s director of rugby, Jim Mallinder. “We set our standards high at the club, we want to be finishing in the top four and fighting for play-off places and this year it hasn’t happened but we have a squad that can do that and I’m optimistic about next season.”
When Wood went off after 15 minutes, Northampton were already 10-0 down – Harlequins picking up from where they left off against Wasps with a close-range try through the captain, James Horwill, converted by Nick Evans on his final appearance for the club.
An Evans penalty extended Harlequins’ lead but a delightful piece of skill from Harry Mallinder put in George North, temporarily playing at centre, under the posts. Mallinder converted and Northampton were ahead when Alex Waller plunged over after a rumble and offload from Louis Picamoles. Mallinder again converted.
Joe Marchant then finished off his second try in two matches after a break from Mike Brown, with Evans nailing the conversion to give Harlequins a three-point lead, but Mallinder was on target again from the tee to make it 17-17 at half-time of a helter-skelter contest.
Marler was getting the better of Kieran Brookes at the scrum and after Teimana Harrison conceded a penalty at the breakdown, Evans put Harlequins back ahead before the New Zealander went off with a shoulder injury. Harlequins’ Charlie Matthews was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on before a forward pass from the otherwise excellent Luther Burrell denied Nafi Tuitavake a try in the right corner.
But Northampton had the lead when Ratuniyarawa burrowed over after Picamoles had gone close. Mallinder struck the upright with the simplest of conversions and while another try for Northampton would have taken them above Harlequins and into sixth place it did not materialise.
“We made a lot of changes and adjustments this season but I’m delighted we’ve got something of substance at the end of the year,” said Kingston. “It’s not a trophy, but it’s something that’s not been at the club for three years and it gives us something to go forward with.”
