What next for 'horrendous' Harlequins after worst PREM defeat in 26 years? Jason Gilmore gives update on key missing duo Marcus Smith and Fin Baxter

Head coach Jason Gilmore provided an update on the fitness of Marcus Smith and Fin Baxter and called on his side to ”stick to the task” after Harlequins suffered a 48-0 PREM humbling against Gloucester on Saturday.

Highlights: Harlequins suffer worst league defeat in 26 years as Gloucester run riot

Video credit: TNT Sports

The Cherry and Whites registered eight tries against an ill-disciplined Harlequins outfit, who remain bottom of the table without any points.

Next up for Gilmore’s men is a Gallagher PREM meeting with Sale Sharks, who recovered from an opening weekend defeat to edge past Saracens on Sunday.

Quins were hoping to rebound from a difficult 2025/26 PREM season in which they finished second bottom, and made a big summer signing in the shape of England full-back George Furbank to hint at brighter times ahead.

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But after two games, the excitement has dimmed, as Gilmore set out what his side urgently need to do to get back on track.

”The boys are obviously very disappointed," head coach Gilmore said.

"From where we’ve come from, from where we need to get to, we're not going to win every single game.

”Was tonight acceptable? Absolutely not. That performance we’re definitely not accepting.

”But we’ve got to stick to the task, understand our game and make sure we’re getting better every single day. Tonight wasn’t acceptable."

Reflecting more on a sobering defeat, Gilmore noted the number of line-outs and penalties his men conceded.

”Obviously, the big one that stands out is the 21-5 penalty count,” Gilmore said.

”I don’t care who you are, you’re not winning a game of rugby with that.

‘It’s embarrassing’ – Kay’s scathing assessment of ‘horrendous’ Harlequins after Gloucester drubbing

Video credit: TNT Sports

”In terms of game plan, we wanted to get into our first three phases against them. I think we only had five line outs the whole game - they had 20 as a result.

”We put ourselves under big pressure and had to dig through those penalties. If there’s any common themes of what they were for. That penalty count was pretty mental.

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”There have been a few games in the past 18 months where we’ve been nilled. It’s not in our DNA, no.

"It’s always disappointing, but if you’re giving away 21 penalties, you don’t have much ball to actually attack off.”

Key to Quins' potential improvement will be two returning England internationals in the shape of Marcus Smith and Fin Baxter, who Gilmore gave an update on.

He said: ”We’re hoping Smithy [Marcus Smith] could be back next week, if not he’ll be back the following week.

”Fin’s probably looking at two to three weeks. We’re missing them, but we know they’re out as well so it’s not an excuse.”

'Horrendous' Quins did not throw a shot

Analysing Saturday's game for TNT Sports was Ben Kay, who - speaking on co-commentary during a bleak second half at Kingsholm for the visitors - couldn't quite believe what he had witnessed.

"The only thing they can take away is they can't play this badly again," the ex-England lock said.

"Usually you'd expect to see a player's level of pride being dented so much that they'd fire a few shots back but they've almost gone into their shells even more.

"It's been horrendous for them. Gloucester have been brilliant but Harlequins have not thrown a shot.

"There's just nothing. To be nilled in this league, which is the highest-scoring league we've ever had, against a team that's scored 48, is just embarrassing."

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