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Sensational Harlequins come back from 28-0 down to beat Bristol in thrilling Premiership semi-final

Daniel Schofield
·27-min read
Sensational Harlequins come back from 28-0 down to beat Bristol in thrilling Premiership semi-final - GETTY IMAGES
Sensational Harlequins come back from 28-0 down to beat Bristol in thrilling Premiership semi-final - GETTY IMAGES

  • Bristol race to 28-0 lead

  • Harlequins launch stunning, record-breaking comeback to leave score 31-31 after 80 minutes

  • Late Joe Marchant try seals win for visitors in second half of extra time

From 28-0 down with no head coach and no apparent hope, Harlequins roared into the Premiership final, shattering records and breaking Bristol hearts. Statistically, it was the greatest comeback in Premiership history; for sheer drama alone, it must rank as the competition’s greatest game.

These two teams had already served up a classic at Ashton Gate in the regular season, when Kyle Sinckler’s injury-time score gave Bristol a 35-33 win. This, too, went to the wire and beyond as Joe Marchant’s converted 75th-minute try made this the first Premiership semi-final to go to extra time. It also contained the most tries (12), seven of which were scored by Quins.

In extra time, the outstanding Tyrone Green put Harlequins in the driving seat before Marchant’s second ensured they will be playing at Twickenham for the first time since 2012. This crazy match encapsulated Harlequins’ own mad season, in which they dispensed with Paul Gustard as head of rugby before their senior coaches and players seized control of their own destiny.

“I’m still in shock,” Billy Millard, the general manager, said. “I watched the last 2½ minutes in the changing room. Sinckler had to tell me what was happening. He was in there as well, peeking through the door. It is very easy to say but we were very calm at half-time. Everything stuck for them [Bristol]. We just had to stay in the fight.”

Full-back Green picked up the baton as the game’s most influential player from Bristol’s Charles Piutau, who departed early in the second half with concussion. Alex Dombrandt also entered beast mode, having not touched the ball for the first 30 minutes, while half-backs Danny Care and Marcus Smith grew in stature immeasurably. Joe Marler, a loosehead prop, let us remember, lasted a full 93 minutes before being replaced.

Bristol's players could not contain their disappointment at the final whistle - GETTY IMAGES
Bristol's players could not contain their disappointment at the final whistle - GETTY IMAGES

For Bristol, who finished with 13 men as a result of injuries, this defeat will be devastating. Not only did they possess a ridiculous four-score advantage, but they had plenty of opportunities to kill the game. Callum Sheedy missed nine points with the boot and Pat Lam, the director of rugby, will have a huge job to rebuild his side’s shattered morale.

“The disappointment does not take away from the unbelievable work throughout the season,” Lam said. “There were alarm bells going just before half-time and we spoke about the intensity after half-time. We needed control and we didn’t get it.”

It had started so perfectly for Bristol, who got on the board early through a pair of Sheedy penalties. A bad start gave way to a horror 20-minute spell in which Harlequins conceded four tries. The first two came from the majestic Piutau swerving and then accelerating past defenders, setting up Ben Earl and then Max Malins.

Nothing was going Harlequins’ way. Aaron Morris intercepted an attack inside his 22 but seemed to pull his hamstring in the process of kicking clear. A few phases later, Nathan Hughes picked up from a scrum and broke down the blind side, giving Malins a simple second score. The fourth try was the pick of the bunch as Semi Radradra and Malins combined down the right to put Luke Morahan over. After 28 minutes, it was 28-0.

Morahan, having just scored a try, promptly saved one by dragging Louis Lynagh into touch, which seemed to hammer the final nail into Harlequins’ coffin. Yet, like Uma Thurman in Kill Bill, the Londoners set about pulling themselves out of their own grave. It began 90 seconds before half-time when Malins misjudged a high ball that bounced kindly into Dombrandt’s hands and he ran into the corner.

Consolation suddenly became consequential as Care, who had taken a quick tap penalty, put Green over under the posts. Bristol nerves quickly became full-blown panic as they blew a four on two before Andy Uren’s pass deflected off Dave Attwood into the hands of Quins replacement James Chisholm, who ambled over for their third try. Sheedy kicked the resulting restart dead and Dombrandt, who was now running rampant, set up Lynagh to score in the corner. Smith’s conversion hit the post but Harlequins were firmly back in the game at 28-24.

euphoric scenes at the final whistle in the Quins camp - PA
euphoric scenes at the final whistle in the Quins camp - PA

Bristol were finally able to steady the ship with a Sheedy penalty but much bigger chances came and went. There will be questions of their game management in those closing stages, when Sheedy slipped into the pocket for a dropped goal only to run it and get turned over.

It proved costly as Bristol were again carved apart, Smith and Green putting Marchant away down the right. Smith held his nerve 10 metres in from the sideline to send the game to extra time. A Sheedy penalty hit the post and, in the fifth minute of injury time, Green stepped past Radradra after a huge period of Quins pressure.

That left Bristol needing two scores, They got the first when Radradra fed Malins, who stepped inside Lynagh to score his third try. Sheedy’s conversion attempt hit the post, leaving Bristol two points adrift, but it was not to matter as Marchant scored his second.

Match details

Scoring sequence: 3-0 Sheedy pen, 6-0 Sheedy pen, 11-0 Earl try, 16-0 Malins try, 21-0 Malins try, 26-0 Morahan try, 28-0 Sheedy con, 28-5 Dombrandt try, 28-10 Green try, 28-12 Smith con, 28-17 Chisholm try, 28-19 Smith con, 28-24 Lynagh try, 31-24 Sheedy pen, 31-29 Marchant try, 31-31 Smith con, 31-36 Green try, 31-38 Smith con, 36-38 Malins try, 36-43 Marchant try.

Bristol Bears: C Piutau (I Lloyd 43); L Morahan (P O'Conor 61), S Radradra, S Piutau, M Malins; C Sheedy, A Uren (H Randall 55); Y Thomas (J Woolmore 65), H Thacker, K Sinckler (J Afoa 47), D Attwood (J Joyce 54), C Vui, S Luatua (c, J Heenan 63), B Earl, N Hughes (W Capon 65).
Harlequins: T Green; L Lynagh, J Marchant, B Tapuai (J Lang 68), A Morris (L Northmore 22); M Smith, D Care (M Landajo 92); J Marler (S Garcia Botta 95), S Baldwin (J Gray 76), W Louw (W Collier 63), M Symons, S Lewies (c, D Lamb-Cona 75), T Lawday (J Chisholm 47), J Kenningham, A Dombrandt.
Referee: W Barnes.
Attendance: 6,606.

Contrasting styles makes for fascinating showpiece

By Daniel Schofield

After 20 tries and 149 points on Saturday, the Premiership final has an impossibly high bar to meet a week from now. If Exeter and Harlequins can serve up a spectacle even half as good as these semi-finals, then we are in for a treat at Twickenham.

It will be a very different affair from their matches on Saturday, in which opponents provided willing stylistic partners. Exeter and Harlequins, meanwhile, are as poles apart as the Arctic and Antarctica. Exeter rarely deviate from a formula that brought a domestic and European double last season. The heart of that equation relies upon their lethal efficiency from short range, typically finished by Sam Simmonds. While critics may underestimate their enterprising creativity in the middle third, there is no mistaking their grinding, muscular efficiency.

Harlequins, on the other hand, are about as wedded to a structure as Elizabeth Taylor is to lasting relationships. They are the equivalent of Kevin Keegan’s great entertainers at Newcastle United: if you score 40 points, we’ll score 50. Their 8-9-10 axis of Alex Dombrandt, Danny Care and Marcus Smith are mesmerising to watch. If one does not get you, the other two will.

Up front, Joe Marler, who did a 90-minute shift against Bristol, and Wilco Louw can wreak havoc. Behind the scrum, Louis Lynagh and Tyrone Green have emerged as future superstars this season.

Their lines of running against Bristol were a joy to behold. What is more, they will have powerhouse centre Andre Esterhuizen back from suspension for the final to provide further incision.

Will this all be enough against the champions? Probably not. Harlequins demonstrated extraordinary character, not to mention skill, to overturn a 28-0 deficit against Bristol, but the concession of four tries in 20 minutes exposed their soft underbelly in defence.

Only three teams conceded more than their 564 points in the regular season. Whereas Bristol played straight into their hands by going end to end, Exeter are masters of killing the clock and controlling territory.

What is more, the emotional, not to mention physical effort of their 100-minute semi-final at Ashton Gate will have taken a huge toll entering their first final since 2012.

Exeter are now seasoned campaigners in showpiece matches. The novelty and wide-eyed excitement of a trip to Twickenham has long since dissipated.

Harlequins will be making the trip across the Chertsey Road, like a gambler on a tear at a casino. No one expected them to be Exeter’s partners for the big dance, especially having not replaced Paul Gustard as head of rugby, but here they are.

If Quins can maintain their fearless attitude, then maybe they have a shot of upsetting the odds once again.

03:22 PM

Harlequins

General manager of rugby Billy Millard says he couldn't bring himself to watch the last few minutes of extra-time so went and sat in the changing rooms: "We were hanging on for dear life but we just about did enough."

03:20 PM

Here's Lawrence Dallaglio

"The most unbelievable game of club rugby I've seen in quite some time - if ever."

That just about sums it up.

03:18 PM

Tyrone Green

Was man of the match and rightly so. Here's a little bit of reaction from him: "We worked so hard for this but it's a small achievement compared to what we want to achieve next week."

03:15 PM

How Quins sealed victory

03:13 PM

Marcus Smith misses the conversion

But it doesn't matter. What an unbelievable game of rugby.

03:12 PM

THE TRY STANDS

Harlequins have done it. They're through to the Premiership final. WHAT A COMEBACK.

03:11 PM

TRY MARCHANT!!! Bristol 36 Harlequins 43

That should seal it! Quins turn over the ball thanks to a huge hit on Siale Piutau. Smith with a lovely flat ball to Marchant who strolls over. But they're going back to have a look at the tackle on Piutau by Northmore...

03:09 PM

ET 19 mins: Bristol 36 Harlequins 38

Randall tries to offload but only success in throwing it to a Quins player. About a minute left and Quins have the ball. They'll be able to sniff victory now.

03:08 PM

ET 18 mins: Bristol 36 Harlequins 38

Bristol keeping it tight in and around halfway but they're being repelled by a solid Quins defence.

03:06 PM

A slight delay here

Bristol's Harry Thacker has been receiving treatment and has just been helped off the field. The hosts are now down to 13 men.

03:03 PM

ET 16 mins: Bristol 36 Harlequins 38

Bristol are down to 14 now as they've used all their replacements and Radradra has just had to go off injured.

03:00 PM

TRY MALINS!!! Bristol 36 Harlequins 38

Bristol have hit back and it's a hat-trick for Max Malins! The home side get a penalty advantage and spread it left to Radradra, who draws his man and offloads to Malins. The winger waltzes past a tired-looking Green to dot down. Sheedy hits the post with a drop-goal conversion attempt. Six minutes left on the clock.

02:58 PM

ET 13 mins: Bristol 31 Harlequins 38

Bristol putting some phases together in the Quins 22. The visitors' defence has looked solid enough so far.

02:55 PM

We're under way

In the second half of extra-time.

02:54 PM

Just a reminder

Bristol were 28-0 up after 39 minutes...

02:52 PM

HALF-TIME IN EXTRA TIME - Bristol 31 Harlequins 38

Bristol need to score twice to win now. If the scores are level Quins will progress courtesy of having scored the most tries on the day.

02:52 PM

TRY GREEN!! Bristol 31 Harlequins 38

Quins dominant at the scrum and get another penalty advantage. Care feeds Smith who whips a lovely quick ball out to Green. The full-back steps past Radradra and stretches out to dot down. Fantastic finish! Green has been absolutely superb this afternoon. Smith makes no mistake with the conversion.

02:49 PM

ET 10+5 mins: Bristol 31 Harlequins 31

Time for a shot at goal? Who am I kidding. Quins opt for a five-metre scrum. And they have a decent push on...Wayne Barnes awards them another penalty. They'll pack down again for another scrum.

02:47 PM

ET 10+2 mins: Bristol 31 Harlequins 31

Sweeping move from the scrum and Quins are banging away at the Bristol line as the clock goes red at the end of this half. They've got a penalty advantage! And as they send it wide the ball goes to ground. We'll go back for the penalty - time for a shot at goal surely?

02:44 PM

ET 9 mins: Bristol 31 Harlequins 31

A slight delay as Kenningham requires some treatment for a head injury and Radradra looks like he's got cramp. Quins will have a scrum put-in when play resumes.

02:42 PM

ET 9 mins: Bristol 31 Harlequins 31

Radradra gets the ball just outside his own 22 and scythes through the Quins line! But his attempted offload goes to ground as the space opened up.

02:38 PM

ET 7 mins: Bristol 31 Harlequins 31

Randall with a high box-kick but Marchant takes it well under a fair bit of pressure. The tempo has definitely dropped a touch from that frantic 80 minutes.

02:36 PM

ET 4 mins: Bristol 31 Harlequins 31

Penalty to Bristol. Superb effort from Ben Earl over the ball and Sheedy will have a chance to kick the hosts into the lead. He's about 40 metres out, 10 metres in from the right touchline. And he hits the post!

02:34 PM

ET 2 mins: Bristol 31 Harlequins 31

A bit of back-and-forth kicking to start extra-time. Then Bristol replacement O'Conor throws the ball straight into touch. Quins will have a lineout just inside the hosts' half.

02:31 PM

We're back under way

Two 10-minute periods of extra time to be played. Strap yourselves in.

02:28 PM

Here's how the visitors drew level late on

02:25 PM

FULL-TIME! Bristol 31 Harlequins 31

As Quins look to move back towards the middle of the pitch Joe Marler knocks on! And that's full-time. Extra-time is on the way. What a thrilling, chaotic 80 minutes!

02:24 PM

80 mins - Bristol 31 Harlequins 31

Quins building outside the 22 as the clock goes red...

02:22 PM

CONVERSION SMITH - Bristol 31 Harlequins 31

It's level at 31-31! Extra time on the cards?! Smith with a beautiful strike through the uprights. If Quins win this it would be the biggest comeback in Premiership history - at the moment the record is Quins' 27-point comeback against Wasps at Twickenham in 2012. They were 28-0 down today.

02:20 PM

TRY MARCHANT!! Bristol 31 Harlequins 29

Another scintillating move from Quins who swing left from a ruck in the centre of the park. Smith with a cut-out pass to Green who draws his man and feeds Marchant for a run in! Pressure on this kick for Smith.

02:19 PM

75mins - Bristol 31 Harlequins 24

It comes back to Sheedy but he opts to run it blind rather than try the drop. He's absolutely crunched by Marler and Quins win the penalty turnover! Smith kicks up towards halfway.

02:17 PM

73 mins - Bristol 31 Harlequins 24

Bristol with a decent spell of possession here. They're camped just outside the Quins 22. Sheedy has dropped back, will he have a crack at a drop goal?

02:14 PM

TRY DISALLOWED!! Bristol 31 Harlequins 24

This game has had absolutely everything. This decision by the TMO wasn't quite as clear-cut as Radradra's one earlier but it's deemed the final pass from Green drifted forward. Nine minutes to go.

02:13 PM

TRY LYNAGH!! Bristol 31 Harlequins 29

Quins build through the phases deep inside the Bristol 22. Green draws a man then pops to Lynagh who darts over for his second. Hang on, the TMO wants a look at the final pass...

02:11 PM

68 mins - Bristol 31 Harlequins 24

What a tackle from Sheedy on Dombrandt. The Quins No 8 is charging towards the corner but the Welsh fly-half races across and sends him into touch.

02:07 PM

66 mins - Bristol 31 Harlequins 24

The visitors have a penalty on halfway. A bit outside Smith's range? Yep, he kicks it into the 22. Quins will have the throw in at the lineout.

02:04 PM

PENALTY SHEEDY - Bristol 31 Harlequins 24

Quins have a lineout on halfway...but they're pinged for a penalty! Dombrandt encroached too soon. Sheedy sends it straight through the uprights to extend his side's lead.

02:00 PM

TRY DISALLOWED! Bristol 28 Harlequins 24

Referee Wayne Barnes went over to the pitchside screen and they've ruled that out. It did look like it drifted forward out of Radradra's hands.

01:59 PM

TRY RANDALL! Bristol 33 Harlequins 24

Or is it? Radradra draws in two tacklers and offloads to Randall who scampers over. It looks a bit forward...the TMO will have a look.

01:56 PM

58 mins - Bristol 28 Harlequins 24

We were hoping for a decent game but this has exceeded all expectations so far. Radradra has just gone on a rampaging run but Louw brought him down with a textbook tackle. The players are having a well-deserved drinks break. Just over 20 minutes to go.

01:52 PM

TRY LYNAGH! Bristol 28 Harlequins 24

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY BONKERS! First phase ball from a Quins lineout and Dombrandt scythes through the Bristol defence as if they're not there. He feeds Lynagh who has just enough gas to dot down! Smith hits the post with the conversion. This is astonishing stuff from Quins, what a turnaround. Three tries in 15 minutes since the break.

01:48 PM

52 mins - Bristol 28 Harlequins 19

Sensible stuff from Marcus Smith who finds touch inside the Bristol 22. The momentum of this game has completely switched since that Dombrandt try just before the break. Suddenly the home side are under constant pressure. Nineteen unanswered points for Quins.

01:46 PM

TRY CHISHOLM! Bristol 28 Harlequins 19

They can't can they?! Bristol were touch-perfect in the first 40 but have made an absolute horlicks of this and Quins have capitalised! Morahan's pass inside his own 22 goes to ground and Chisholm pounces on the ball then strolls over. Smith converts. What a response from the visitors.

01:40 PM

45 mins - Bristol 28 Harlequins 12

It's been a helter-skelter start to the second period! Bristol break down their right and Morahan is well tackled. Then they look to have an overlap as they sweep it left but Uren's attempted miss pass goes straight into touch!

01:37 PM

TRY GREEN! Bristol 28 Harlequins 12

Well that's a decent way to start the second half for Quins! They have a good spell of possession and win a penalty... Care takes a quick tap five metres out and is brought down. It's fed one-out to Green who crashes over near the posts. Smith slots the conversion.

01:34 PM

The second half

Is under way. What can Quins summon up in this second 40 minutes?

01:34 PM

'Not bad lads'

I imagine Pat Lam is saying something along those lines to his Bristol players at half-time. They were absolutely electric in the first half.

01:25 PM

Luke Morahan's try

Was the pick of Bristol's four in that first 40 minutes - here it is:

01:20 PM

HALF-TIME - Bristol 28 Harlequins 5

That was a blistering start from Bristol who scored four tries in the first half-hour. Quins grabbed a five-pointer just before the interval, but they've got it all to do against the hosts who have been absolutely outstanding.

01:18 PM

TRY DOMBRANDT! Bristol 28 Harlequins 5

The visitors are on the board at last! They have some messy, slow ball in the centre of the pitch and Smith decides to try the aerial route. Malins makes a horrible mess of his attempt to catch the bomb and the bouncing ball falls to Dombrandt, who hares over from just outside the 22. Smith's conversion goes wide.

01:15 PM

37 mins - Bristol 28 Harlequins 0

Quins pounce on a dropped ball in the middle of the pitch and Marchant kicks it in behind the Bristol defence, looking for the corner. But he gets his angle slightly wrong and it drifts over the tryline. Malins hoovers it up and puts it down - Bristol will have a 22 dropout.

01:08 PM

33 mins - Bristol 28 Harlequins 0

Quins looking to build pressure in the Bristol 22 but they cough up the ball via a knock-on. Disappointing. Sheedy tries a cheeky little grubber to get Bristol out of trouble which doesn't work. But we'll come back for a scrum for the hosts after that knock-on.

01:05 PM

30 mins - Bristol 28 Harlequins 0

You've got to feel for Quins. They work it nicely from a lineout and Lynagh thinks he's scored in the corner. But the TMO correctly rules the winger was in touch before he managed to ground the ball. It was a fantastic cover tackle from Morahan.

01:01 PM

TRY MORAHAN!!! Bristol 28 Harlequins 0

Wow. Bristol lineout on halfway, they go wide on the first phase and Radradra feeds Malins, who somehow manages to stay infield and offloads one-handed to Morahan. He looks like he'll be brought down just short but he manages to pirouette over the line! Electric stuff. Sheedy adds the extras from the right touchline.

12:58 PM

25 mins - Bristol 21 Harlequins 0

Quins with their first bit of possession inside the Bristol 22 and Care is on the end of a crunching hit. In the desire to play quickly a Quins player has knocked on and that little spell of pressure eases.

12:56 PM

TRY MALINS!! Bristol 21 Harlequins 0

Oh, this is all too easy for Bristol! Quins think they are going right from this scrum but Hughes picks up from the base, heads back on the short side and feeds Malins who runs over unopposed. Another missed conversion for Sheedy.

Max Malins has scored two tries inside the first 25 minutes - GETTY IMAGES
Max Malins has scored two tries inside the first 25 minutes - GETTY IMAGES

12:53 PM

22 mins - Bristol 16 Harlequins 0

This is absolutely exhilarating stuff from Bristol! They go from one side to the other and Radradra and Hughes are out wide on the left. Hughes bulldozes through then feeds it back to the Fijian who is brought down as he charges towards the line. Quins do well to get bodies back and slow it down and there's a knock on in there - Bristol scrum about seven metres out.

12:51 PM

20 mins - Bristol 16 Harlequins 0

Fantastic counter-ruck from Quins but Danny Care is a little over-eager to get his mitts on the ball and is pinged. A penalty for Bristol on halfway which they'll kick into the 22.

12:47 PM

16 mins - Bristol 16 Harlequins 0

A bit of a kicking exchange and Smith finds a lovely touch inside the Bristol 22. But Bristol take a quick lineout and then clear up to the halfway line. They haven't allowed the visitors a sniff so far. Stunning start from Pat Lam's side.

12:44 PM

TRY MALINS!! Bristol 16 Harlequins 0

What is happening here?! Quins were building their first real attack but Charles Piutau stepped into claim an intercept and suddenly Bristol have acres of space to run into. They manage to keep it alive out wide and then spread it back across the pitch. Hughes is brought down just short but Malins pounces on a loose ball and dots down. Sheedy misses the conversion.

12:40 PM

10 mins - Bristol 11 Harlequins 0

Sheedy misses the conversion. Quins must feel pretty shell-shocked here.

12:39 PM

TRY EARL! Bristol 11 Harlequins 0

Wow what a start! Charles Piutau steps through a huge hole in the Quins defence in the middle of the field, draws his man then shovels it to Radradra, who feeds Earl who goes over in the corner! What a start for Bristol, kick to come.

Ben Earl scores for Bristol - GETTY IMAGES
Ben Earl scores for Bristol - GETTY IMAGES

12:38 PM

PENALTY SHEEDY - Bristol 6 Harlequins 0

His first kick was pretty straightforward but this is much tougher - from the five-metre line, about 40 metres out. But Sheedy steps up and nonchalantly belts it over. Good start for the hosts.

12:36 PM

5 mins - Bristol 3 Harlequins 0

Bristol break down their left and Malins feeds it inside to the rampaging Radradra...who is absolutely smashed by Lynagh! Huge hit on the Fijian flyer. But the ref has spotted an infringement over the ball and Bristol have another penalty.

12:34 PM

PENALTY SHEEDY - Bristol 3 Harlequins 0

Sheedy slots it without any fuss.

12:33 PM

2 mins - Bristol 0 Harlequins 0

Bristol awarded a penalty on halfway and Sheedy kicks it into the 22. From the line-out the hosts spread it wide to Charles Piutau who looks to have found a gap but is brought down as he charges towards the line. Quins get over the ball and slow it down...we're going back for a penalty for Bristol to the left of the posts.

12:31 PM

Kick-off!

We're under way at Ashton Gate.

12:30 PM

The players are on their way out

Joe Marler looked seriously pumped as he made his way out of the tunnel! Kick off is imminent.

12:26 PM

This should be a cracker

The conditions look absolutely perfect for the way both sides like to play. The last time these two sides met Bristol won it at the death 35-33.

We might not see quite as many points today but fingers crossed for a similarly thrilling encounter.

12:18 PM

And here's a big read

On how it feels to play for Pat Lam - rugby's Mr Motivator and the man who transformed Bristol

12:13 PM

Pat Lam

Some thoughts from Bristol's director of rugby:

"We know they'll be dangerous...discipline is crucial for us, we don't want to give them any easy points. We play, they play - I hope everyone enjoys it."

12:08 PM

'Expect moments of magic'

That's the view of BT Sport pundit - and former Quins and England wing - Ugo Monye.

"These two teams both want to play with ball in hand, they've got no fear. We know this is knockout rugby but will they play any different? Absolutely not."

12:04 PM

Max Malins' pre-match thoughts

11:56 AM

Will we see some magic from Marcus Smith today?

The Quins fly-half has been in electric form all season. Our rugby reporter Charlie Morgan spoke to him before this semi-final to learn what makes him tick - and here's the write-up of that interview.

11:47 AM

Some pre-match reading

Here's Will Greenwood on the fascinating mix of fly-halves in the play-off semi-finals, and their vastly different skillsets

11:42 AM

Quins team

15 Green, 14 Lynagh, 13 Marchant, 12 Tapuai, 11 Morris, 10 Smith, 9 Care; 1 Marler, 2 Baldwin, 3 Louw, 4 Symons, 5 Lewis (C), 6 Lawday, 7 Kenningham, 8 Dombrandt.

Replacements: Gray, Garcia Botta, Collier, Lamb, Chisholm, Martin Landajo, Lang, Northmore.

11:35 AM

Bristol team news

15 C. Piutau, 14 Morahan, 13 Radradra, 12 S. Piutau, 11 Malins, 10 Sheedy, 9 Uren; 1 Y. Thomas, 2 Thacker, 3 Sinckler, 4 Attwood, 5 Vui, 6 Luatua, 7 Earl, 8 Hughes.

Replacements: Capon, Woolmore, Afoa, Joyce, Heenan, Randall, Lloyd, O'Connor.

11:29 AM

Good afternoon

And welcome to our live coverage of this Gallagher Premiership semi-final between Bristol and Harlequins at Ashton Gate.

Bristol finished the regular season top of the pile, just three years after they were promoted back to the top flight.

Their success has been built on a barnstorming backline - including the likes of Fijian flyer Semi Radradra, former All Black Charles Piutau and ex-Wallaby Luke Morahan - and an all-court game with Welsh fly-half Callum Sheedy pulling the strings.

Ahead of today's semi-final, Telegraph Sport rugby reporter Ben Coles has written a profile of the man who has been key to Bristol's transformation - head coach Pat Lam - who he calls "the single biggest factor in Bristol's transformation from a club yo-yoing between the top two divisions to the juggernaut of today".

Bristol's opponents are no strangers to attacking flair themselves. With the pivotal 8, 9, 10 axis of Alex Dombrandt, Danny Care and Marcus Smith, Harlequins have returned to the expansive rugby they are known for.

And their attack coach Nick Evans has already vowed that they will stay true to themselves in the play-offs, so we should expect plenty of attacking verve and a high-scoring encounter this afternoon.

Our chief rugby union correspondent Gavin Mairs certainly sees it that way. He fancies a Bristol win - but feels "this is the moment when we will discover just how far they have come under Pat Lam".

He adds: "They have the attacking firepower and all-court game to reach their first ever final, but the team who finished top of the league, have yet to prove their mental mindset is right to win trophies...

"It is set up to be a thrilling, high-tempo contest but there are remaining doubts about whether Harlequins have the defensive mettle to cope with the power game of Bristol’s strike runners."

The game kicks off at 1.30pm and we will have live updates throughout, and then we will also be covering the Exeter Chiefs v Sale Sharks semi-final which follows at 4.30pm.