Quins vs Exeter - Friday - 7.45

[Mellsblue]

What’s this Murley guy about?

Most impressive was a moment when Quins had been attacking for a few phases and had been knocked back by a loose ball. Very, very slow ruck ball and everyone's resetting. Murley backs up about 15-20m and then absolutely sprints on a hard line off Care - the pace he was going when he caught the ball and the fact that he targetted the gap between two defenders means he made 7-8m against a stationary and set defence with slow ball. Recycled quick and Quins were on the attack.

Puja

Now, that’s what I call BOSH.

[fivepointer]

Exe not at their sharpest with a few too many players below their best.
Credit to Quins, though. They had an energy and intensity that was impressive. Good signs for the rest of the season.
i'm liking Dombrandt a lot. Big, heavy lad with decent hands and feet.

[Scrumhead]

Murley reminds me a bit of Jack Nowell. A nuggety player with good footwork that’s hard to bring down and is deceptively strong. He made a big impact when he came on.

The more I think about the performance last night, the happier I am. We’ve seen the difference in intensity and aggressive defence in previous games (Saracens for example), but this was one of the first games where we looked very solid in defence and showed some creativity in attack.

I know it wasn’t Chiefs’ first choice side, but we thoroughly deserved that win and PG’s influence is becoming increasingly apparent. I don’t see us challenging for the top 4 this season, but top 6 looks like a good bet and with a couple of good signings, PG could be on to something.

[francoisfou]

I’m pleased with that result. Good to see Quins on the up. Looking forward to going to the game against Tigers on the 22nd.

[fivepointer]

Stats make interesting reading.
Quins made 499 meters; Exe 287.
The 3 starting back rowers for Quins made 38 carries for 118 meters (Dombrandt 14 - 69); the Exe trio made 17 for 18. There is the game, I think.
Hats off to Ewers. I thought he was busy and effective in defence. He was, making 24 tackles.

I reckon Murley is going to be a big hit with the U20's.

[Digby]

It's a good win for Quins but interesting Exeter never seem to get much from Low and Holmes who were both decent test props, and frustrating if Joe Simmonds gets less game time as a consequence of the match

[Raggs]

I didn't see the 2nd half, but the first half saw Exeter only really making yards through indiscipline from Quins, otherwise their defence smothered them. Reminded me of the Exeter/Sarries final a bit.

[twitchy]

I reckon Murley is going to be a big hit with the U20's.

That lad is dynamite. Always makes an impact. Some players you can just tell they are good immediately you see them.

[Scrumhead]

I didn't see the 2nd half, but the first half saw Exeter only really making yards through indiscipline from Quins, otherwise their defence smothered them. Reminded me of the Exeter/Sarries final a bit.

Yep. The offered pretty much nothing in attack. 3 of their tries came from lineouts in the 22 after we gave away penalties. I've no issue with Kvesic or Yeandle's tries, but Devoto's was decidedly dodgy. I think the original penalty was extremely harsh and while it was stupid of Brown to get us marched back 20m, there is absolutely no way Devoto's grounding can be regarded 'clear and obvious'. To me it looked very much like there were hands/arms under the ball and I didn't see any footage of the ball clearly making contact with the grass.

Whitten's was an intercept, so while I'd give him full credit for reading the play (albeit it was an awfully telegraphed pass from Smith), it's not really a try Exeter 'made' through any kind of invention or attacking play.

They played very ugly rugby and I don't feel that their two bonus points were a reflection of the game. Fair play to them for keeping in the fight.

[Digby]

I'd also like to add kudos to Exeter for resting players coming back from test rugby and admonish Quins for selecting Sinckler, though I would acknowledge Quins relegating wouldn't bother me whereas I can see why it'd bother them

Still, we are getting more rotation this season and this was a very positive step from Exeter

[twitchy]

Agreed. Can't wait for this guy:

[Mikey Brown]

Just watched the game. Dombrandt really was a handful wasn’t he, one moment he could have got an offload away for a potential try but he held onto it a recycled well. He seems to have a great mix of aggression and calm confidence in what he does.

For all the talk of his “old school rig” he put in his first monster carry and leg drive in about the 3rd minute, was still doing it in the 76th to nearly go over again.

Clifford didn’t look too shabby, given what I read on here I thought he might look quite far off the pace. Looking pretty chunky these days. I quite like having the option of him switching between 7 and 8 but I wonder what they think is required in terms of his size for each position.