Quins leave it too late in Paris

HARLEQUINS endured a miserable night in Paris.

- GARY FITZGERALD

Captain Alex Dombrandt and his men paid the price of failing to have a crucial cutting edge in front fo the line while Racing took their chances with skill and hunger.

Quins gave their French rivals a real battle but trailed this Champions Cup clash 12-5 at the break following a tough and tense first-half.

Both Marcus Smith and Chandler Cunningham-South returned for the contest after their rest period following England’s autumn campaign. Racing were without the injured Owen Farrell.

Dino Lamb made his 100th appearance for Quins, and the lock played his part in the opening try as a perfectly worked lineout close to the hosts’ line saw him grasp the ball cleanly.

The forwards set up the foundation for the ball to eventually be fed to Dombrandt who broke a tackle and rumbled his way across the line.