Harlequins kicked off the 2025 season with a strong 38-14 bonus-point victory over Newcastle Falcons in the Gallagher Premiership. James Chisholm, Marcus Smith, Jack Walker, Oscar Beard, and Sam Riley all scored tries for the visitors in a dominant performance. Despite Newcastle capitalizing on a sin-binning to level the score, Harlequins maintained their composure and pulled away in the final minutes of the game.
Coming off a winless streak in their previous three matches, Harlequins were determined to get back to winning ways. Their confidence was evident early on, and despite some sloppy play after losing a player to the sin bin, they managed to keep their lead and eventually secure a comfortable victory. Their winning record against Newcastle also gave them a psychological edge heading into the match.
James Chisholm was named the Player of the Match for his strong performance, scoring a try and leading Harlequins’ forward pack with his surges from the back of the scrum. His efforts helped his team secure the crucial bonus point and dominate the game. The match ratings for both teams highlighted the contributions of key players on each side, with Harlequins’ Jack Walker and Marcus Smith also standing out.
The match saw several key moments, with Chisholm opening the scoring for Harlequins early on. Newcastle fought back with a try from Adam Radwan, but it was Harlequins who regained the lead before halftime through Marcus Smith. Despite Newcastle reducing the deficit to three points in the second half, Harlequins scored three late tries through Walker, Beard, and Riley to secure the victory.
Harlequins’ win marked their ninth straight victory over Newcastle Falcons, showcasing their dominance in recent encounters. Fans can catch all the action from the Gallagher Premiership and Premiership Women’s Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+, ensuring that they don’t miss any of the thrilling matches and standout performances like the one from Harlequins in their season opener.
