Marcus Smith dazzles in ‘massive’ first European knockout win for Harlequins - ‘Monkey off the back stuff’

Marcus Smith admitted it was “massive” for Harlequins to finally register their first win in the knockout phase of the Investec Champions Cup after starring in a hard-fought 28-24 triumph over Glasgow Warriors at the Stoop.

Quins had lost all six of their previous knockout games in Europe’s elite club competition and trailed with less than five minutes remaining after the Warriors fought back from 21-7 down at half-time.

But there was time for a final twist in the tale when the hosts wrestled the momentum back in their favour before Sam Riley powered over the line from a dominant lineout drive.

“It’s massive,” Smith, the player of the match, told TNT Sports. “The last two years we’ve fallen down at this hurdle so it’s monkey off the back stuff.

“I think this will give us a lot of confidence moving forward, obviously we’ve got to wait and see who we’re playing against but we’ll enjoy it.”

Scott Cummings got Glasgow off to the perfect start when he touched down at the end of a brilliant team move in the third minute before ill-discipline cost the visitors.

Twelve first-half penalties, as well as a yellow card for Sione Tuipulotu, gave Quins easy territory and a numerical advantage, which they made the most of.

And Smith was at the heart of it all. A pinpoint crossfield kick bounced up into the arms of Andre Esterhuizen to score in the 23rd minute before the fly-half produced a moment of individual brilliance to cross the whitewash and give his side the lead.

Smith then turned provider once again to send Cadan Murley over to make it 21-7 at the break.

However, as has been the theme of late, Harlequins failed to put the game out of sight and two quick-fire converted Glasgow tries set up a thrilling finale.

A George Horne penalty gave the Scottish side a slender lead before Quins hooker Joe Marler was sent to the sin-bin but somehow the Gallagher Premiership outfit dug themselves out of a hole to make history and cap off a Champions Cup thriller.

“I think the fans always complain they’re on the edge of their seats,” Smith added. “When we’re ahead we always let the team in.

“It’s something we’re trying to work on, the consistency and the delivering of performances over 80 minutes.

“But to look back two weeks ago we got hammered by Sarries and we really looked at ourselves and tried to improve and I think we’ve done that.

“We’re nowhere near where we want to be but in another knockout game in Europe, which is exciting.”

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